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'Israel' clings to Gaza proposal as Trump charts a different course

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
9 May 2025 00:09
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A senior Palestinian official tells Al Mayadeen that ongoing mediation talks remain centered on an Israeli proposal that does not guarantee a ceasefire in Gaza, which Hamas rejects.

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A picture taken near the border with Gaza shows Israeli armored vehicles and bulldozers returning from the besieged Palestinian territory, on May 8, 2025. (AFP)

The ongoing meetings between the Israelis and the Egyptian and Qatari mediators are entirely focused on the Israeli proposal, which does not guarantee an end to the war on Gaza, a senior Palestinian official told Al Mayadeen on Thursday evening.

The official noted that “Israel” remains committed to its sole proposal and is not offering any alternative for negotiation.

Hamas rejects terms that fail to end war

He further explained that Hamas rejects the Israeli proposal, viewing it as failing to ensure a halt to the war.

Meanwhile, “Israel” is threatening to expand its ground offensive in Gaza if Hamas turns down the offer.

Israeli plans threaten 'continued existence' of Palestinians

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed growing concerns on Wednesday that "Israel's" plans to expand its offensive in Gaza are designed to create conditions that threaten the "continued existence" of Palestinians in the territory.

The Israeli occupation military has mobilized tens of thousands of reservists for an expanded offensive in Gaza, which, according to an Israeli official, would involve the "conquest" of the Palestinian area.

In a statement, Turk warned that "Israel's reported plans to forcibly transfer Gaza's population to a small area in the south of the Strip and threats by Israeli officials to deport Palestinians outside of Gaza further aggravate concerns that Israel's actions are aimed at inflicting on Palestinians conditions of life increasingly incompatible with their continued existence in Gaza as a group."

He stressed that "expanding the offensive on Gaza will almost certainly cause further mass displacement, more deaths and injuries of innocent civilians, and the destruction of Gaza's little remaining infrastructure."

Starvation of Palestinians is a war crime

Since "Israel" launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, nearly all of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced at least once.

A blockade on all aid into Gaza by "Israel" that has lasted for over two months has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.

"Any use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of war constitutes a war crime," the UN rights chief underscored, affirming that "the only lasting solution to this crisis lies through full compliance with international law."

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, at least 2,500 people have been killed since "Israel" resumed its war in mid-March, bringing the total death toll from the war to more than 52,000 Palestinians.

US says solution to facilitate delivery of food aid to Gaza 'steps away'

On Thursday, the US State Department stated that a solution to facilitate the delivery of food aid to Gaza was just "steps away", with an announcement expected soon, though it refrained from specifying the details of the plan.

Meanwhile, Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom revealed that cooperation on Trump's plan "involves only limited participation" from Israeli officials, and does not necessarily align with all of the Israeli demands.

The newspaper said that Trump's proposal will center on a "broad agreement," which includes clauses on reconstruction efforts and governance of the Gaza Strip, where the US would play a "central role."

According to the Israeli outlet, among the ideas being discussed is a pledge to allow Hamas a role in the civil administration of the Gaza Strip. Talks have also included a proposal to integrate the current Gaza Strip police force into a broader Palestinian security apparatus.

The agreement, if reached, will be imposed on Israeli officials as a "fait accompli".

Egypt, Qatar say Gaza mediation ongoing

In parallel, Egypt and Qatar reaffirmed that their efforts on the mediation file are “ongoing, coordinated, and based on a unified vision aimed at ending the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.”

In a joint statement published by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, the two countries stressed that “attempts to sow division between brothers through doubt, distortion, or media escalation will not succeed and will not deter them from continuing their joint efforts to end this war and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe.”

They also affirmed that they “will not be drawn into any internal dynamics or side agendas that do not serve the interests of the Palestinian people.”