Qatar and Egypt Mediators Urge Further Action for Gaza Ceasefire

Qatar and Egypt, as key guarantors of the Gaza ceasefire, urged on Saturday for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the introduction of an international stabilization mission to fully enforce the fragile agreement. These steps are part of a US- and UN-endorsed plan that has largely paused hostilities in Gaza, though both sides have yet to determine how to proceed beyond the initial phase.

The first phase involved Israeli troops retreating behind a designated "yellow line" inside Gaza, while Hamas released the remaining living hostages and returned the bodies of all but one deceased.

We are now at a decisive point. A ceasefire cannot be completed without the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and restoring stability in Gaza, said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the Doha Forum.

Qatar, together with Egypt and the United States, played a central role in achieving the truce, effective since October 10, which has largely ended two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The second phase, not yet initiated, envisions Israel fully withdrawing, an interim authority taking over governance, and an international stabilization force being deployed. We need this force on the ground urgently, because Israel continues to violate the ceasefire daily, emphasized Egypts Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.

However, several Arab and Muslim nations have been reluctant to join the new force, concerned it might confront Palestinian militants.

Turkeys Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan noted that discussions are ongoing regarding the force's command structure and participating countries. He stressed, The primary goal must be to separate Palestinians from Israelis. That should come first before addressing other issues. Abdelatty supported deploying the force along the yellow line to monitor the ceasefire.

Since the ceasefire began, there have been multiple deadly incidents involving Israeli forces firing near the yellow line. Under the original 20-point plan, Hamas is expected to disarm, with compliant members permitted to leave Gaza, though the group has consistently rejected disarmament.

Turkey, another truce guarantor, seeks a role in the stabilization mission, though Israel views its involvement with skepticism due to perceived ties to Hamas.

Sheikh Mohammed stated that Qatar and the other guarantors are coordinating to advance the next phase, which he described as a temporary measure aimed at achieving a lasting solution ensuring justice for both sides.

The ceasefire framework includes reopening Gazas critical Rafah crossing with Egypt to allow humanitarian aid. While Israel recently announced it would permit residents to exit Gaza via Rafah, Egypt rejected any one-way arrangement, insisting the crossing serve both entry and exit. Abdelatty affirmed that the crossing should provide humanitarian and medical assistance, not facilitate displacement.

Author: Maya Henderson