Egypt: International force in Gaza urgently

TT

Updated 14.15 | Published 13.35

 

Displaced Palestinians shelter in tents amid the destruction left behind by the Israeli offensive in Gaza City. The picture was taken on Friday. Photo: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP/TT

Egypt is calling for the rapid deployment of an international force in Gaza to monitor the ceasefire during a second phase of the peace deal.

The ceasefire has reached a “critical moment”, according to Qatar.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty says the “international stabilization force” must be deployed as soon as possible because “one party, Israel, violates the ceasefire every day”, writes AFP.

At the same time, he says that Egypt’s Rafah border crossing with Gaza “will not become a gateway for displacement.” According to him, it is only there to “flood Gaza with humanitarian and medical aid.”

Israel announced on Wednesday that Palestinians would be able to travel out via Rafah in the coming days. Egypt denied such an agreement had been reached shortly afterwards, stating that a settlement would require travel in both directions.

The UN and humanitarian organizations have long called for the border to be opened.

“Critical moment”

The first phase of the ceasefire came into effect on October 10. The next phase – which has not yet begun – includes the deployment of an international security force in Gaza, the formation of a new technocratic transitional government for the area, the disarmament of Hamas and a final withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin al-Thani says the Gaza ceasefire has reached a “critical moment” as its first phase draws to a close — with only one Israeli hostage remaining in Hamas custody, according to the AP.

Cannot be completed

The Qatari leader also said international mediators, led by the United States, are working to “force a way forward” for the second phase to cement the deal.

“A ceasefire cannot be completed unless Israeli forces withdraw completely, stability returns to Gaza and people can travel in and out, which is not the case today,” he said at an international conference in the capital Doha.