Turkish intelligence chief meets with top Hamas negotiator about 2nd phase of Gaza plan, as mediators seek to move forward with Board of Peace, International Stabilization Force.
The mediators of the fragile Gaza ceasefire expressed their support Saturday for US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for the Gaza Strip following a Friday meeting in Miami, but a source briefed on the meeting said little progress was made on implementing the plan beyond the current truce. A joint statement issued by the US, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey was light on details and didn’t contain any new announcement.
The mediating countries urged both Israel and the Hamas terror group – which remains the de facto government of about half the Strip – to adhere to the peace plan, and to exercise more restraint to avoid a return to war. The mediators also called for the swift establishment of a so-called Board of Peace as envisioned by the plan, and of a technocratic government to oversee the Strip’s postwar management. Attending the meeting Friday were US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani, Egyptian intel chief Hassan Rashad and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
The source briefed on the sit-down said advancement into the second phase of the ceasefire will require compromises from the leaders of Israel and Hamas regarding the issues of the IDF’s withdrawal from Gaza and disarmament. The mediators discussed ways to pressure the two sides toward an agreement, but the source said that Israel and Hamas can’t be forced against their will. The joint statement said the four representatives met “to review the implementation of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and to advance preparations for the second phase.” (Read More)
