Palestinian presidency backs Egypt-Qatar ceasefire deal for Gaza

A Palestinian presidency spokesman endorsed Egypt’s and Qatar’s Gaza ceasefire proposal, urging the US to pressure Israel to agree to a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, according to Middle East Monitor on August 19th. 

Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said: “The time has come for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,” during a televised interview.

Abu Rudeineh praised the joint Egypt-Qatar efforts that led to this advancement. He said: “We now hope that Israel will endorse this initiative, as its approval is crucial, and indications suggest that progress is being made.” 

He later called upon the US to mount severe pressure on Israel, emphasising its significant military, financial and political backing for Israel.

“Netanyahu is indifferent to Israeli society or the opposition; he is constrained by an extreme right-wing government that compels him to take certain actions,” he claimed. 

Rudeineh pointed out that the burden is on the administration of US President Donald Trump to take decisive action to advance these ceasefire efforts and to bring an end to the conflict. He added that Palestinian leaders have been endorsing a ceasefire and prisoner swap for more than a year and a half.

However, the US has issued visa sanctions on members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organisation. This has taken place despite allies of the US, such as the EU and the UK, continuing to provide support for the PA.

The spokesperson also said that the Palestinian leadership has been vocal about advocating for a ceasefire deal in order to defend the people of Gaza from present violence, displacement and a famine caused by Israel. He noted that there has been a collective effort from the Palestinians, as well as the wider Arab and international community to secure the success of a ceasefire in Gaza, regardless of Israel’s demands on pursuing a holistic deal rather than a partial agreement. 

Middle East Monitor, Maghrebi.org