Trump’s ultimatum, plan to relocate Palestinians place truce in jeopardy

Mediators Egypt and Qatar are talking with a delegation of Palestine’s Hamas group for continuing the implementation of the fragile cease-fire agreement in Gaza amid Israeli warnings about resuming “intense fighting” in the Gaza Strip if Hamas fails to release Israeli captives.

On Feb 10, Hamas said it will delay the release of the next batch of Israeli hostages scheduled for Feb 15 “until further notice” due to ceasefire violations by Israel.

Meanwhile, an ultimatum issued by United States President Donald Trump to Hamas for return of all hostages by Feb 15, warning that otherwise “all hell will break out” raised worries about potential collapse of the fragile Gaza truce, which was already looking shaky after Trump called for US takeover of Gaza and eviction of Palestinians from the enclave.

However, on Feb 11 Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the cease-fire so long as Israel abides by it. It gave the assurance in a statement while rejecting Trump’s plan for displacement of Palestinians from their territory on the pretext of reconstruction.

“Contacts are underway with mediating countries to complete the implementation of the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said in another press release on Feb 12.

Earlier in the day, a delegation led by Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo to discuss the ceasefire deal with Egyptian officials, Xinhua reported.

Qassem stressed the need for Israel to adhere to the agreement to ensure the release of prisoners and compliance with the agreed-upon humanitarian protocol.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Feb 11 that his country would resume military operations in Palestinian territories if Israeli hostages were not returned by Feb 15. He had echoed a similar ultimatum by Trump who warned of “hell” breaking out if Hamas fails to release the hostages.

Hamas, which on Feb 10 announced the postponement of the release of the next batch of Israeli prisoners, again accused Israel of failing to uphold its commitments under the cease-fire.

An unnamed Egyptian source told Xinhua that “Hamas expressed to the Egyptian side its willingness to release a batch of Israeli detainees on Saturday (Feb 15) as agreed but rejected demands from Trump and Netanyahu for a full release of all Israeli captives at once.”

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Feb 12 in Dubai that it is “unacceptable” to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

“The focus today is on Gaza and tomorrow it will shift to the West Bank with the objective of emptying Palestine of its historical inhabitants,” he said at the World Governments Summit in the UAE. “It’s unacceptable for the Arab world, which has fought this idea for 100 years.”

In a statement, Egypt said on Feb 11 that it plans to present a comprehensive Gaza reconstruction plan designed to ensure Palestinians remain on their land.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, in a telephone talk on Feb 11, also emphasized the right of Palestinians in Gaza against displacement elsewhere. Sisi’s scheduled visit to Washington on Feb 18 could be postponed, according to Middle East News Agency.

King Abdullah II of Jordan on Feb 11 reiterated on social media Jordan’s steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged on social media to “avoid at all costs resumption of hostilities in Gaza that would lead to immense tragedy”.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have stressed the legitimacy and need for establishing a sovereign Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Contact the writers at jan@chinadailyapac.com