Gaza Ceasefire Hangs in Balance as Mediators Push for Israeli Troop Withdrawal

Mediators Qatar and Egypt issued urgent calls on Saturday for Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza and for an international stabilization force to be deployed, marking critical next steps in implementing the fragile ceasefire agreement. The guarantors of the truce emphasized these measures as essential to moving beyond the initial phase of the peace deal that has temporarily halted the devastating conflict.
Speaking at the Doha Forum, Qatari Premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stressed the urgency of the moment, declaring that a complete ceasefire cannot be achieved without full Israeli withdrawal and stability restoration in Gaza. The current agreement, backed by the US and UN, required Israeli troops to retreat behind a designated “yellow line” within Gaza’s borders while Hamas released living hostages and returned remains of deceased captives, with one exception.
The delicate truce faces significant challenges as both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the agreement’s terms. A major point of contention involves Hamas’s disarmament, which is required under the 20-point plan originally outlined by former President Donald Trump. While the plan offers Hamas members who surrender weapons the opportunity to leave Gaza, the militant group has consistently rejected this proposal.
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya clarified the group’s position on Saturday, stating their willingness to hand over weapons to a Palestinian authority only if Israeli occupation ends completely. He emphasized that their weapons exist in direct response to occupation and aggression, indicating they would be placed under state authority once occupation ceases. This stance represents a conditional approach that complicates the path forward.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty warned at the Doha Forum that Israel continues to violate the ceasefire daily, making immediate deployment of the international force imperative. The UN-endorsed plan calls for Israeli withdrawal, establishment of a transitional “Board of Peace” to govern Gaza, and deployment of international peacekeepers. However, Arab and Muslim nations remain hesitant about participating in a force that might confront Palestinian militants, leaving the composition and timeline uncertain.