Cairo and Qatar are actively pursuing efforts to persuade the Palestinian faction to accept the former US president's ultimatum to end the hostilities in Gaza, per Egypt's foreign minister.
Mounting Pressure on Hamas
Egypt's foreign minister emphasized that the time had come for the organization to disarm and avoid providing Israeli forces any justification to persist in its offensive in the region, where numerous civilians were lost their lives on Friday.
“Let’s not give any excuse for one party to use Hamas as a pretext for this mad daily killings of civilians. What’s happening is far beyond the 7th of October,” Abdelatty said.
The diplomat explained that Egypt is “in close contact with Qatar and Turkey to persuade Hamas to agree to the terms”.
Key Points of the Peace Plan
This proposal would require the group to:
- Disarm and withdraw from political activities
- Release the captives in custody from the previous year's events, 20 of whom are thought to survive
In exchange, Israel would:
- Phase out its troops from Gaza
- Substituted by an international force
- Allow a temporary government led by the former president
Most analysts concur that the initiative would effectively terminate its existence as an armed Palestinian resistance group, while the Israeli side would offer limited compromises.
Split Opinions within the Faction
Hamas is at odds over its reaction, with some members asking for a delay to evaluate the proposal.
A senior commander has objected to the plan, seeing it as a tactic to eliminate the group regardless of they agree.
Sources close to the group indicate that the faction is expected to request changes regarding:
- The requirement to lay down arms
- Ongoing deployment of military in the area
- Guarantees that the Hamas leaders will not be targeted
Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies
Israel carried on its operations in the northern area and shelling across the region on Friday, fatally striking two dozen individuals.
Several of the those killed were in Gaza City, while the others perished in southern Gaza, with three in an aerial attack in a southern area, which had been previously designated a safe zone.
Israel issued its last evacuation order for Gaza City on Wednesday, with the top defense official announcing that those who stay would be considered a terrorist or terrorist supporter, a classification that violates international law.
Numerous of residents remain unable to leave in the urban area, many of whom who cannot afford the evacuation to the south, which is said to cost over a thousand dollars.
“Countless individuals are forced to sleep outdoors while seeking refuge,” commented a Red Cross spokesperson.
The UN said that there is no protected area for those escaping the city, as areas designated as “safe zones” in the south are “places of death”.
James Elder called the idea of secure areas as “absurd”, stating that airstrikes are dropped with frightening frequency and educational buildings used as temporary shelters are often destroyed.
Healthcare System under Overwhelming Demand
Medical facilities in southern Gaza are operating beyond capacity, with the aid clinic accommodating over twice its normal limits.
Earlier, a major medical facility received 27 bodies of people killed by the forces.
Dr Ahmad al-Farra characterized the situation as “extremely difficult”.
Israeli forces has been accused of targeting doctors and clinics, with healthcare professional said to be “abducted” while on duty in a southern city.
Authorities has often stated that apprehended doctors had connections to the group, though lacking proof.
Total casualties from hostilities in the strip has amounted to at least 62,622 civilians dead and about 170,000 hurt, per the medical sources.
