Israel and Hamas continue ceasefire talks: Arab states' peace plan

12punto FOREIGN NEWS

Five Arab countries led by Egypt have submitted a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza to the US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas stated that it welcomed US President Donald Trump's step back from his call to forcibly remove Palestinians from Gaza. Hamas and Israeli officials held talks in Doha, the capital of Qatar, regarding the second phase of a ceasefire.

The Gaza Ministry of Health announced that at least 48,515 Palestinians have been killed and 111,941 people injured in Israeli attacks. The Gaza Government Media Office raised the death toll to over 61,700, assuming that thousands of people remain under the rubble. On the Israeli side, 1,139 people lost their lives in the October 7, 2023 attacks, while more than 200 people were taken hostage.

RECONSTRUCTION OF GAZA

It was announced that five Arab countries, consisting of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Qatar, have prepared a comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. It was learned that the plan was presented to the US special envoy Witkoff in Doha.

Arab foreign ministers reiterated in their meeting on Wednesday that they would not accept Trump's plan to seize Palestinian lands. The ministers stated that they would continue consultations with Witkoff on Egypt's plan to rebuild Gaza.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, it was stated that coordination regarding the plan, which will form the basis of efforts to 'get the region back on its feet,' will continue.

53 BILLION DOLLAR PACKAGE

Earlier this month, Arab leaders accepted a 53 billion dollar Egyptian reconstruction plan aimed at preventing the migration of Palestinians from the region, in response to Trump's 'Middle East Riviera' vision. Arab officials reacted to the US, pointing out that Palestinians would be permanently displaced from their homes due to Trump's plan. The plan to rebuild Gaza was put forward after the US sought to take over the region.

According to Al Jazeera, Egypt's plan to rebuild Gaza envisions the administration of Gaza being undertaken by an administrative committee consisting of independent and professional Palestinian technocrats. The plan was detailed in a 112-page document featuring detailed maps of how the land would be redeveloped and colorful AI-supported images including housing developments, gardens, and community centers.

Reuters suggested that support is expected from oil-rich Gulf Arab countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for large-scale reconstruction financing. It is alleged that these countries are expected to play a key role in providing the resources necessary for the implementation of the plan.

The White House argued in a previous statement that Egypt's Gaza plan does not reflect the reality on the ground. Countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and the UK announced their support for the plan.

UN REPRESENTATIVE: 'DOGS ARE FEEDING ON CORPSES'

United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Affairs Chief Tom Fletcher called for an immediate end to Israel's blockade of Gaza. Pointing out that aid supplies are at risk of running out 'very quickly,' Fletcher said, 'Not being able to get fuel means incubators being turned off.'

Stating that the destruction in northern Gaza is greater compared to the south, Fletcher made the following remarks:

'There are miles of rubble. Our staff are trying to return to their homes using GPS because there are no signs to navigate. You cannot distinguish schools, hospitals, or homes from one another. It was much worse than I expected, and I had prepared myself for the worst.'

Fletcher emphasized that one of the most shocking sights he saw while entering the region was dogs feeding on corpses, adding the following:

'I asked, "Why are the dogs so fat?" They told me, "Because they are looking for corpses." You notice that people are thin, and this situation continues for miles.'

News Source: 12punto