Egyptian Foreign Minister Urges Hamas to Embrace the US Gaza Proposal and Lay Down Arms

Egypt and Doha are currently engaged in diplomatic moves to urge Hamas to accept the former US president's ultimatum to stop the war in the Gaza Strip, as stated by Egypt's foreign minister.

Increasing Pressure on Hamas

Egypt's foreign minister emphasized that the time had come for the organization to disarm and refrain from offering Israel any excuse to prolong its offensive in the region, where numerous civilians were killed on recently.

“Hamas should not be used as an excuse for the relentless killing of innocents, a situation that has worsened significantly since last year,” the minister remarked.

He added that Cairo is “in close contact with Qatar and Turkey to persuade Hamas to agree to the terms”.

Details of the Peace Plan

The plan would demand the group to:

  • Disarm and withdraw from political activities
  • Return the hostages still held from the October incident, including two dozen are thought to survive

In exchange, Israeli authorities would:

  • Gradually withdraw its military from the territory
  • Be replaced by an international force
  • Accept a transitional authority under Trump

Observers agree that the initiative would spell an end to Hamas’s identity as an fighting force, while the Israeli side would make few concessions.

Split Opinions within Hamas

Hamas is reportedly split over how to respond, with factions asking for a delay to evaluate the proposal.

A senior commander has opposed the plan, seeing it as a move to eradicate the group if they accept.

Insiders suggest that Hamas is expected to request changes regarding:

  • The requirement to lay down arms
  • Ongoing deployment of soldiers in Gaza
  • Guarantees that the group’s leadership will not be pursued

Civilian Suffering Deteriorates

Israel carried on its offensive in the northern area and airstrikes across the wider strip on the recent day, fatally striking numerous civilians.

Nearly a dozen of the victims were in the northern city, while the rest died in the south, including three in an aerial attack in a southern area, which had been once declared a protected space.

The Israeli military issued its final warning for the city on earlier this week, with the top defense official declaring that those who stay would be deemed affiliated with armed groups, a classification that contradicts global norms.

Hundreds of thousands of residents remain trapped in the urban area, including those who cannot afford the journey to the south, which allegedly requires more than $1,000.

“Many people are left to sleep along the roads until they can find shelter,” stated an aid official.

United Nations agencies said that there is no safe place for those escaping the city, as areas declared as secure areas in the south are lethal.

A UNICEF spokesperson called the concept of protected spaces as “farcical”, stating that bombs are used with alarming regularity and schools designated as safe havens are often destroyed.

Medical Services under Extreme Pressure

Medical facilities in southern Gaza are overwhelmed, with the aid clinic serving over twice its designed patient load.

On Thursday, a major medical facility admitted numerous fatalities of people shot dead by the forces.

The head of paediatrics described the circumstances as “very hard”.

Israeli forces has been accused of attacking doctors and clinics, with medical staff reportedly taken while heading to her job in the area.

Israel has often stated that detained healthcare workers had ties to the group, though offering no substantiation.

Total casualties from hostilities in Gaza has amounted to at least 62,622 civilians killed and approximately 170,000 wounded, per the local health officials.

Stephen Zimmerman
Stephen Zimmerman

A tech enthusiast and business strategist with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup ecosystems.