An Egyptian source details the four dramatic issues in the talks with Hamas in Cairo, chief among them the formula for "weapons storage" and the entry of an international force into Gaza. Turkey and Egypt are trying to ease the pressure on Hamas to speed up a signing, while a new representative from the Board of Peace may join the talks.
The pilot program to implement Section 17 of Trump’s plan is set to begin in the coming weeks. The goal is to start separating Hamas from the civilian population. The technocratic committee that is supposed to administer Gaza will not enter the Strip as long as Hamas refuses to disarm.
According to the report, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moves to block the reported diplomatic initiative, regional dynamics suggest a potential policy shift following an emerging deal with Iran; "There are no US or Board of Peace plans to transfer any supervisory authority to the Palestinian Authority," a person familiar with the talks tells Israel Hayom.
Washington’s security establishment has already begun issuing tenders for mobile structures and a control tower, with the aim of staffing the compound within a few months. The move is being carried out despite the terrorist organization’s continued refusal to disarm, and against the backdrop of most partner countries’ decision to suspend their consent due to the war with Iran. A security source estimated: "The chance of fighting resuming in the Gaza Strip is greater than the possibility of a diplomatic agreement."
According to the Board of Peace report to the UN Security Council, humanitarian aid to Gaza has increased by 70% in terms of supplies, but humanitarian needs in the Strip remain extensive and most residents are still suffering from shortages of shelter, water, health care and employment.
The IDF has expanded the security zones in the Gaza Strip by another 34 square kilometers after Hamas violated the disarmament deal. The strategic move received approval from the Board of Peace and is being carried out in close coordination with the US administration. Inside Gaza, reports say extensive engineering work is underway to flatten infrastructure along the route of the new "orange line."
US officials are expressing anger at Hamas over its refusal to disarm. Qatar, Turkey and Egypt, which guaranteed the move, are also facing harsh criticism. Meanwhile, activity at the Kiryat Gat command center is gradually being scaled back, with oversight being transferred to other parties
A special migration directorate was established by Israel about a year ago after surveys showed that more than 40% of Gazans do in fact want to emigrate. One hundred thousand applications have already been submitted, and there are countries willing to take in the migrants. But on the ground, the directorate stands empty.
While Israel insists on linking rehabilitation to Hamas's disarmament, Qatar and the UN are already clearing rubble, paving roads, and drilling water wells across the Gaza Strip.
While a Hamas negotiating team held talks in Cairo, the terrorist organization rejected calls to lay down its arms and presented a sweeping list of conditions – including a full Israeli pullout from Gaza.
