Egypt halts dialogues between Israel and Palestinian factions following the attempted killing of Hamas's high-ranking official.
Take a Gander at the Latest Scoop on Gaza:
A rapid rundown on the Gaza conflict, Egypt's three-phase plan, and the stakeholder reactions
In the hot seat after the assassination of Hamas' number two, Saleh al Arouri, Egypt has decided to frozen its role as a mediator between Palestinian factions and Israel to brook peace in Gaza. Sounds like they're stepping back to avoid escalating the war, you may wonder. Well, let's dive a bit deeper into the three-phase plan they've proposed.
Phase One: Putting a Hold on Hostilities
Phase one kicks off with a six-week ceasefire. During this time, Israel is expected to release numerous Palestinian captives in return for Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The main aim is to put a stop to active violence and set the stage for humanitarian aid.
This crucial phase is set to be supervised by Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations, with guarantees coming from these organizations, the United States, and more. The goal is to achieve genuine calm and eventual withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from Gaza.
Phase Two: Prisoner Exchanges and Israeli Withdrawal
In phase two, Hamas will release any remaining Palestinian captives, civilians and soldiers alike. In return, Israel would release an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. Prerequisites include a mutual agreement upon sustained calm and an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. This phase aligns with the ongoing Israeli military operations focusing on severing Hamas' leadership and infrastructure, capturing much of Gaza territory, and escorting civilians to designated areas.
Phase Three: Rebuild and Stabilize
The final phase involves Hamas relinquishing the remains of deceased Israeli captives, Israel releasing the remains of deceased Palestinians in its custody, and Israel ending its blockade of Gaza. Moreover, Hamas pledges not to rebuild its military capabilities during the ensuing five-year reconstruction period, which will focus on rebuilding vital infrastructure and stabilizing the region. Estimated investments hover around $53 billion.
Gaza will initially be governed by a temporary technocratic committee, excluding both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Egypt, Qatar, and the UN will play pivotal roles in supervising this plan, with support from countries like the United States and other international stakeholders.
Gauging Reactions
Israel insists on Gaza's complete demilitarization and rejects the idea of governance roles for both Hamas and the PA. International communities like Germany, France, Italy, and the UK welcome the focus on reconstruction and stability. The UN highlights the importance of respecting international law and avoiding forced displacement, while Jordan and Egypt have criticized any talk of expelling Palestinians from Gaza.
Hamas's stance on disarmament and governance may complicate matters in the third phase, but some officials express a willingness to relinquish governance as long as they can retain their weapons. The United States is involved in the guarantees and oversight, but there's resistance to the idea of US troops or direct funding for Gaza's reconstruction.
Suspect the details of Egypt's three-phase plan deserve a closer look? You're on the right track! It's a comprehensive approach involving significant financial investment and multinational oversight, aimed at achieving long-term stability in the Gaza region. However, the plan faces hurdles due to differing opinions on governance, Hamas' disarmament, and control over aid and territory, with varied reactions from key stakeholders. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation!
The average reaction from international communities, such as Germany, France, Italy, and the UK, towards Egypt's three-phase plan for Gaza is welcoming, as they focus on reconstruction and regional stability. General news reports discuss the complexities in the third phase due to differing opinions on governance, Hamas' disarmament, and control over aid and territory, with Hamas showing a willingness to relinquish governance but retain their weapons. The politics of this war-and-conflicts scenario remain contentious, as Israel insists on Gaza's demilitarization and the United States faces resistance to direct funding for Gaza's reconstruction.
