The fragile Gaza ceasefire faces a critical juncture as mediators Qatar and Egypt call for immediate deployment of an international stabilization force and complete Israeli military withdrawal. These guarantors of the truce emphasized Saturday that these steps are non-negotiable requirements for advancing beyond the agreement’s initial phase and achieving lasting peace in the devastated region.
The peace plan, which received backing from both the United States and United Nations, has successfully reduced hostilities during its first phase. Initial requirements included Israeli forces pulling back to a predetermined “yellow line” boundary within Gaza, while Hamas fulfilled obligations to release living hostages and return deceased captives’ remains. Despite these preliminary achievements, disagreement persists over implementing subsequent phases.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan revealed that discussions about the stabilization force continue, with fundamental questions about command structure and participating nations still unresolved. He suggested the force’s primary objective should be separating Palestinians from Israelis, a view echoed by Egyptian officials who advocate for deployment along the yellow line to monitor and verify compliance with the ceasefire terms.
Numerous deadly incidents involving Israeli forces firing on Palestinians near the yellow line have occurred since the ceasefire began, raising serious concerns about the agreement’s sustainability. Egypt’s Foreign Minister stressed that one party, specifically Israel, violates the ceasefire daily, necessitating immediate peacekeeping intervention. The international community faces pressure to act decisively before the fragile peace completely collapses.
Turkey has indicated interest in participating in the stabilization force, though Israel views this prospect unfavorably. Foreign Minister Fidan warned that Hamas disarmament should not be prioritized above other urgent matters, urging a realistic, properly ordered approach. He called on the US to intervene with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that without such intervention, the entire peace plan risks failure due to mounting ceasefire violations.