Qatar and Egypt, serving as primary guarantors for the Gaza ceasefire agreement, issued a joint appeal on Saturday for Israel’s complete military withdrawal from Gaza and the immediate deployment of an international stabilization force. These measures, presented during the Doha Forum conference, are deemed essential for implementing the fragile truce’s subsequent phases.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani emphasized that mediators are currently advancing negotiations toward the ceasefire’s next stage. While the initial phase saw Israeli forces reposition behind a designated “yellow line” within Gaza and Hamas release remaining living hostages alongside returning most deceased captives’ bodies, a comprehensive agreement beyond this temporary pause remains elusive.
“We are at the critical moment. It’s not yet there. So what we have just done is a pause,” Al Thani stated, adding that “a ceasefire cannot be completed unless there is a full withdrawal of the Israeli forces, [and] there is stability back in Gaza.”
Despite Qatar’s mediation efforts alongside Egypt and the United States—culminating in the October 10th ceasefire—Israel has reportedly committed 600 violations resulting in over 360 fatalities and 900 injuries. Palestinian health authorities confirmed five additional deaths from Israeli fire in northern Gaza on Saturday.
The proposed second phase envisions Israel’s complete withdrawal from remaining Gaza positions, establishment of an interim governing body, and deployment of an international stabilization mission. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed the urgency of this force’s deployment given daily ceasefire violations, suggesting it be stationed along the “yellow line” for verification purposes.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, representing another ceasefire guarantor, revealed ongoing discussions regarding the stabilization force’s leadership and composition. He asserted its primary objective should be separating Palestinians from Israelis, while controversially arguing that disarming Hamas should not be the immediate priority, stating: “We need to put things in proper order, we have to be realistic.”
Israel has expressed opposition to Turkey’s potential participation in the force, highlighting diplomatic tensions surrounding the proposed international mission.