Egyptian officials are attempting to convince Hamas to embrace Trump’s proposal, the foreign minister said
Egypt’s foreign minister said Thursday Cairo was working with Qatar and Turkey to try to convince Hamas to accept U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the nearly two-year-old war in Gaza. He also threatened to escalate the conflict if the terrorist organization rejected.
Speaking at the French Institute of International Relations in Paris, Badr Abdelatty said it was clear that Hamas needed to disarm and that Israel should not be given an excuse to carry on with its offensive in Gaza.
“We cannot permit any group to utilize Hamas as a pretext for these horrific killings that take place every day. He said, “What’s happening is far beyond the seventh of October.” He was referring to the Islamist group’s 2023 onslaught on Israel, which, according to Israeli estimates, killed 1,200 people and captured over 200.
Over 66,000 people have died in Gaza as a result of Israel’s offensive, according to Palestinian health officials.
It’s more than just retaliation. Ethnic cleansing and genocide are occurring now. At that point, Abdelatty said, “Enough is enough.”
The White House unveiled a 20-point plan earlier this week that called for an immediate ceasefire, Israel’s gradual withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas disarmament, an international organization to lead a transitional government, and the exchange of Israeli-held Palestinian detainees for Hamas hostages.
On Tuesday, Trump gave Hamas three to four days to agree to the terms.
Cairo was negotiating with Qatar and Turkey to convince Hamas to agree to the plan, but he was still very cautious, Abdelatty said. One of the most important mediators in efforts to stop the hostilities in Gaza is Egypt.
“You know, if Hamas refused, it would be really difficult. There will be further escalation, of course. So that’s why we’re working so hard to get Hamas on board and make this plan work,” he said.
Abdelatty said more talks were needed, even if he was largely supportive of Trump’s proposal for Gaza.
“There are a lot of holes that need to be filled, we need more discussions on how to implement it, especially on two important issues – governance and security arrangements,” he said. “We are supportive of the Trump plan and the vision to end war and need to move forward.”
“Egypt would not tolerate it,” he said when asked if he was worried that the Trump proposal would lead to the forcible displacement of Palestinians.
“Displacement will not happen, it will not happen because displacement means the end of the Palestinian cause,” he said. “We will not allow this to happen under any circumstances.”
