The Foreign Ministers of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt today issued a joint statement welcoming the “steps taken by Hamas” regarding US President Donald Trump’s proposal to end the two-year-long war and invasion in Gaza. This partial agreement by Hamas is viewed by the eight nations as a “real opportunity to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire” and to address the critical humanitarian conditions facing the people in the Gaza Strip.
Commitment to Negotiations and Ceasefire Implementation
The Foreign Ministers affirmed their appreciation for President Trump’s commitment to establishing peace in the region and specifically welcomed his call on Israel to immediately stop the bombing in Gaza and begin implementation of the prisoner-hostage exchange agreement.
The joint statement, issued via the Foreign Office, specifically welcomed Hamas’s readiness to agree to some terms of the proposal, including the release of all hostages (alive or deceased), and the announcement of its “readiness to hand over the administration of Gaza to a transitional Palestinian Administrative Committee of independent technocrats.” The Foreign Ministers strongly emphasized the need for the immediate launch of negotiations to agree on mechanisms to implement the proposal across all its aspects.
Deep-Seated Reservations and Core Demands
While welcoming the forward movement, reservations have been privately expressed by some of the Muslim countries engaged in the matter, as the final 20-point plan unveiled by the White House was not the one originally agreed upon.
Reports indicate that last-minute edits secured by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following intervention, particularly regarding the conditions and timetable for Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, represent a major stumbling block. These edits reportedly tie Israel’s withdrawal to the progress of disarming Hamas and grant Israel a veto over the process, potentially allowing Israeli forces to remain in a security perimeter even after the three phases of withdrawal are completed.
Reiteration of Joint Principles for Sustainable Peace
Despite these complexities, the Foreign Ministers reiterated their joint commitment to support efforts towards the full implementation of the proposal and to work for a comprehensive agreement that ensures:
- The unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- No displacement of the Palestinian people.
- The return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza and the unification of Gaza and the West Bank.
- A security mechanism that guarantees the security of all sides in a manner that leads to full Israeli withdrawal.
- The rebuilding of Gaza and the creation of a path for just peace on the basis of the two-state solution.
The eight Muslim nations continue to engage with the Trump administration to ensure the implementation mechanisms reflect the originally agreed-upon goal of a comprehensive and sustainable resolution to the conflict.
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