Egypt signals willingness to join international force in Gaza

While Hamas accepted a new ceasefire proposal on August 18th in Cairo, Egypt announced that it may contribute to an international force deployed to Gaza once Israel’s offensive ends, according to Radio France Internationale on August 19th.

The announcement came shortly after Israel unveiled its controversial plan to take full control of Gaza, under the name of a “Greater Israel.”

“We are ready to contribute to any international force in Gaza,” Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, said on August 18th, reaffirming support for the idea of an international mission in the enclave, a plan also backed by several countries, including France.

Israel, however, rejects the possibility of either Hamas or the Palestinian Authority taking control of Gaza after the war. For this reason, international deployment is being considered as an interim measure.

As both a neighbour and long-time mediator in the conflict, Egypt has indicated it is willing to send troops into Gaza on the condition that the mission operates under a United Nations Security Council mandate. Cairo has also stressed that it is prepared to contribute to any international effort aimed at establishing a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, during a visit to Cairo, the Palestinian Authority’s Prime Minister announced that a temporary committee will soon be created to manage Gaza’s affairs, reiterating that the enclave remains “an inseparable part of Palestine.”

Despite continued fighting, with Palestinian sources reporting Israeli tanks advancing into the Sabra neighbourhood west of Gaza City, diplomatic efforts have inched forward. On August 18th, Egypt confirmed it had submitted a new ceasefire proposal to Israel, noting that “the ball is now in Israel’s court.” Reportedly, Egyptian and Qatari mediators drafted the plan following an earlier American initiative.

Israel is yet to formally respond, stating that it is currently reviewing the proposal. Yet sources close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest his position has not shifted: Israel insists that all hostages should be released at once. Netanyahu argued that Hamas only accepted the ceasefire because it is under “unbearable pressure” – a statement echoed by Defence Minister Israel Katz. 

Radio France Internationale, Maghrebi.org