The mediating delegation of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has conveyed this Sunday to the U.S. special envoy for the Middle East, Jared Kushner, that it maintains its commitment to implement the second phase of the peace plan designed for the Gaza Strip by U.S. President Donald Trump. This new stage includes the disarmament of Palestinian militias, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave, and the transfer of authority to a new Palestinian administration responsible for initiating the reconstruction of the territory.
The meeting took place in Egypt and was led by the head of Hamas's political bureau, Khalil al Haya. During the meeting, the Islamist delegation reiterated to Kushner "its agreement with the roadmap for the second phase of President Trump's plan."
In a subsequent statement, the movement emphasized that "this agreement arises from the interests of our people and the desire to achieve a permanent ceasefire, the total withdrawal of the occupying army from the Gaza Strip, the guarantee of urgent and permanent humanitarian aid, the start of the administrative committee's work, reconstruction, and the fulfillment of other agreed rights."
Hamas stressed, however, that it is up to the United States to ensure the implementation of the commitments made in the agreement reached in October in the Egyptian town of Sharm el Sheikh and to verify that the Israeli Army leaves the Strip at the same time that the disarmament of the Palestinian armed factions proceeds.
The Islamist movement again accused Israel and its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of "resorting to military escalation on the ground, the humanitarian catastrophe, and even declaring their explicit rejection of the roadmap."
Netanyahu's stance, contrary to a gradual withdrawal synchronized with the disarmament of the militias, has become one of the main obstacles to the implementation of the peace plan promoted by Trump.
U.S. sources pointed out last week that the announcement by the Israeli Prime Minister could primarily respond to electoral calculations ahead of the elections in October in Israel. Despite this, Kushner traveled to Egypt this Sunday with the aim of reaffirming that Israel will ultimately comply with the terms of the plan.
In its final message, Hamas expressed its recognition of the role played by President Trump in achieving the ceasefire and in the drafting of the roadmap for the second phase, stating its confidence "that he continues his efforts to end the pain and suffering of our people and to achieve security and stability in the region, which is a supreme goal that we all long for."