In negotiations underway in the Egyptian city of New Alamein between a Hamas delegation and mediators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, the new formulas presented by Hamas have created optimism. A Palestinian source participating in the talks said that following Hamas's latest proposal, a positive atmosphere prevails in the negotiations.
The meetings, chaired by Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, are a continuation of the process that began in Cairo on June 6. The talks address the transition to the second phase of the plan of the 'World Peace Council' established by US President Donald Trump.
Main outlines of the second phase
The first phase of the ceasefire, signed last October in Sharm El-Sheikh, was completed with the cessation of military operations and the handover of Israeli captives. The second phase now on the agenda envisages the withdrawal of the Israeli army to the area referred to as the 'red line'. This withdrawal means that the area under Israeli control would shrink to about 20 percent of Gaza and that Gaza would not be permanently occupied.
This phase also includes items such as bringing the weapons of resistance groups under control, destroying remaining tunnels, establishing an executive council composed of international figures and a Palestinian technocratic government, and launching a reconstruction plan.
Hamas's changes and optimistic signals
A senior Hamas official stated that the movement had made changes that address concerns regarding control in governance and the collection and storage of weapons. The official said that the clause concerning the salaries and employee obligations of the former government has been fully resolved.
The same source said that the Hamas delegation received clear signals from the mediators that they could 'guarantee Israel's approval of the current proposals'. This has led to interpretations that a transition to the details of the second phase of the ceasefire is imminent.
Arms control and the transition period
The Hamas official stated that the formula being worked on envisages a 'period of calm', which is not a ceasefire but a 'preparatory period' that will lay the groundwork for a political horizon. It was noted that the duration has not yet been determined.
According to the arrangement regarding the collection of weapons, the weapons will be collected within an 'intra-Palestinian' framework under the supervision of the National Gaza Administration Committee and stored in Gaza.
The National Committee's obstacle and the police force
An official from the technocratic National Gaza Administration Committee, which is planned to take over daily public services in Gaza, stated that the committee's request to enter the area has been repeatedly rejected by the head of the World Peace Council. The official said, 'All indicators point to the committee not being able to enter Gaza anytime soon,' and stressed that all steps are progressing 'very slowly'.
It is stated that the committee has prepared a list of names that will form the core of a 5,000-strong police force to be trained in Egypt, but that it will take a long time for these individuals to reach Egypt and begin training.
Agreement on Article 5
A final text has been agreed upon regarding Article 5, which regulates the duties, powers and obligations of the National Committee. The new four-paragraph text, accepted by Hamas and Palestinian groups and viewed positively by representatives of the World Peace Council, is as follows:
- Continuation of current government employees in their duties and protection of their rights.
- Assumption of the government's debts and financial obligations to third parties.
- Basing procedures related to employees on the legal and administrative system.
- Resolution of contentious issues through a special mechanism by national consensus.
Hamas had announced that the goal of the talks in Egypt is to solidify the ceasefire and ensure the implementation of all commitments of the Sharm El-Sheikh agreement. While it is stated that Israel has approved the entry of the World Peace Council and the accompanying international stabilization force into Gaza, it appears that a critical stage has been reached in the negotiations that will shape Gaza's future.
