French President Emmanuel Macron, who spearheaded efforts for wider recognition of a Palestinian state in a bid to help end the conflict, said in a post on X: “Hamas’ commitment must be followed up without delay.”
Egypt said on Saturday it hopes “positive development” after Hamas’ response to Trump’s Gaza plan will lead all parties to implement the plan, according to a foreign ministry statement. It said it will exert all effort with Arab states, the US, and European countries to reach a permanent ceasefire in the war-torn enclave.
Qatar also said it has begun coordination with mediator Egypt and the US to continue talks on Trump’s Gaza plan to reach an end to the war, the Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said on X. He said Qatar welcomed Hamas’ response to Trump’s plan.
THORNY ISSUES STILL TO BE IRONED OUT
Hamas, in a copy of its response seen by Reuters, did not say if it would agree to disarm and demilitarise Gaza — something Israel and the US want but Hamas has rejected before.
It also did not agree to an Israeli withdrawal in stages, as opposed to the immediate, full withdrawal Hamas demands.
A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that the group would not disarm before Israel’s occupation of the enclave ends, comments that underscored the gap between the parties as the war approaches its two-year mark.
Qatar has begun coordination with mediator Egypt and the United States to continue talks on Trump’s Gaza plan, the Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said on X.
Trump’s plan specifies an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an international body.
Source: CNA
