Hamas opens up to US plan for ceasefire. Egypt: “Now we need Israel’s response”
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reported the Palestinian movement's positive opinion on the proposed agreement promoted by the US. But for Israel's approval the road is uphill
ROME – Concrete steps forward are being made to stop the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, after the resumption of negotiations under the pressure of the United States and the front-line commitment of President Joe Biden. The Palestinian movement Hamas has in fact said it is willing to accept the peace proposal outlined by American President Joe Biden in recent days: this was confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Egyptian, Sameh Shoukry.
According to the regional press, Shoukry reported that the group “views positively” the plan, in three phases, lasting nine months, clarifying: “Now we await Israel’s response” . The leaders, who had already accepted an agreement on May 6, however asked for guarantees through the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, so that Israel respects “the full and total ceasefire” once all the Israeli hostages have been freed strong>. One of the issues concerns the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Strip.
ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SPLIT BY THE ULTIMATUM OF TWO MINISTERS: “READY TO EXIT”
Meanwhile, the United States is multiplying diplomatic efforts to convince representatives of the Israeli government to accept the agreement. The last speech is from the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who urged the member of the Israeli war cabinet Benny Gantz and the Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to “discuss the plan”. Not an easy task: yesterday, Gallant, together with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, clarified thatif the agreement is accepted, both ministers are ready to leave the government coalition led by the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thus determining the fall of the executive. As for Gantz, the Israeli press this morning recalled that the leader of the National Unity Party had indicated June 8 as his ultimatum to Netanyahu, threatening in turn to leave the governing coalition if the head of government did not present a “plan for post-Hamas” in Gaza, which included an “American-European-Arab-Palestinian” agreement as an alternative to the Hamas government, the return of all Israeli hostages and displaced persons from the north to the border with Lebanon, and the adoption of a “scheme” to promote the increase in the enlistment of Jewish members of the haredi community, i.e. ultra-Orthodox Jewish citizens, in the army.
Netanyahu had rejected these requests outright. But given that the American proposal is not too far from this one, it is unclear what Gantz will decide to do. Yesterday, as highlighted by theTimes of Israel, the deputy refused to speak to the media.
BOMBINGS CONTINUE IN RAFAH AND IN THE NUSEIRAT REFUGEE CAMP
Meanwhile, last night Israel again bombed Rafah, a densely populated city in the south of the Strip. The Palestinian agency Wafa reported 12 civilians killed, including three children. Another ten victims of Israeli raids were recorded in the Nuseirat refugee camp, in the center of the Palestinian region. Due to the bombing and the absence of humanitarian aid, the authorities ofJabaliain Beit Hanoon have instead proclaimed these northern locations “disaster areas”.