France, Germany, Italy, and the UK have endorsed Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan, praising its potential to improve living conditions for Palestinians. Meanwhile, Hamas is in negotiations for a ceasefire amid escalating Israeli actions that have halted humanitarian aid and intensified the crisis. Hamas denounces these Israeli measures as collective punishment and calls for international intervention.
The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom expressed support for Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan during a meeting on Saturday. This initiative, endorsed at a recent emergency summit in Cairo and formally adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, is viewed as providing a “realistic path” towards improving living conditions for Palestinians in Gaza. The ministers pledged that implementation of the plan would lead to swift and sustainable improvements in the region.
Abdul Latif Al-Qanou, spokesperson for Hamas, reported ongoing efforts by Egyptian and Qatari mediators to finalize a ceasefire agreement and initiate negotiations for the next phase. Signs of progress were noted, as Hamas’s leadership, currently in Cairo, discusses strategies to press Israel to adhere to agreements established during the recent Arab summit.
In response, Israel has proposed “escalating measures” intended to increase pressure on Hamas, potentially leading to renewed military action in Gaza. These measures reportedly began last week with the halt of humanitarian aid to the region, following Hamas’s rejection of a ceasefire proposal by the U.S. envoy, Steve Witkoff. The proposal aimed at extending the ceasefire and facilitating prisoner exchanges but did not formally declare cessation of hostilities.
Hamas condemned Israel’s actions, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of worsening the humanitarian crisis by imposing collective punishment on two million Palestinian civilians. They categorized these actions as a “war crime,” claiming that this deprivation of food, medicine, and essential resources has persisted for seven days.
Moreover, Hamas criticized the treatment of prisoners held by the resistance, stating that they are also deprived of necessary food and care. The statement held Netanyahu “fully responsible” for the ongoing humanitarian crisis and urged immediate intervention from Arab nations and the United Nations to halt the “brutal crime” of starvation and siege, calling for accountability for Israeli leaders’ actions.
The support from European foreign ministers for Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan highlights the ongoing international commitment to improving conditions in the region. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as Israel escalates measures against Hamas, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Hamas’s response underscores the challenges faced by civilians in Gaza, emphasizing the need for urgent international attention and intervention to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com
