Muslim Nations Reject Displacement of Palestinians in Gaza
DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip — On Saturday, foreign ministers from various Muslim nations convened in Saudi Arabia, firmly opposing President Trump’s suggestion to relocate the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip. Instead, they endorsed a plan for establishing an administrative committee to oversee the territory, paving the way for future reconstruction efforts.
Progress in Cease-Fire Negotiations
Amidst ongoing discussions, Hamas indicated there are “positive signals” regarding negotiations with Egyptian and Qatari mediators concerning the second phase of its cease-fire agreement with Israel. Spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua revealed that Hamas is open to talks, although additional details were not disclosed. As of now, there has been no response from the Israeli prime minister’s office.
Support for Reconstruction Initiatives
The meeting, organized under the banner of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), aimed to address the worsening situation in Gaza—now grappling with uncertainty over a cease-fire established seven weeks ago. The proposed plan, championed by Egypt and supported by other Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, focuses on rebuilding Gaza.
Condemnation of Displacement Plans
While refraining from directly mentioning Trump, the ministers articulated their rejection of initiatives that seek to displace Palestinian people, labeling such actions as ethnic cleansing and a serious breach of international law. Furthermore, they condemned Israel’s “policies of starvation,” which they believe are intended to encourage Palestinians to vacate the area.
Cease-Fire Developments
The cease-fire, initiated in January, halted Israeli military actions aimed at dismantling Hamas following its attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The agreement’s first phase, which concluded last week, included the release of 25 hostages and the return of eight deceased individuals in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli officials have been hesitant to engage in negotiations related to the second phase, which is intended to secure the release of the remaining hostages, establish a long-lasting truce, and facilitate a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Currently, Hamas is believed to hold 24 living hostages and the remains of 34 individuals.
Appeals from Hostage Families
Families of the hostages have directed pleas to Trump, urging him to prevent a return to warfare, which they fear would jeopardize the lives of those still held captive. In a recent meeting, Trump engaged with eight former hostages while the White House confirmed ongoing U.S. discussions with Hamas.
Humanitarian Concerns in Gaza
Since the previous Sunday, Israel has restricted all supplies—including food, fuel, and medicine—into Gaza, impacting over 2 million residents. Israeli demands include a revised deal that addresses their security concerns and the situation of hostages. Conversely, Hamas has warned that cutting off supplies could adversely affect the lives of remaining hostages.
Future Governance of Gaza
The foreign ministers of the OIC have expressed support for a transition where an administrative committee, functioning under the Palestinian Authority, would replace Hamas in governing Gaza. This follows Israel’s objection to the Palestinian Authority playing any role in the territory’s administration post-conflict, with no alternative governance proposals provided by Israel itself.
In a collaborative statement, foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy, and Britain endorsed the Arab initiative for Gaza’s reconstruction, describing it as a “realistic path.” They emphasized that Hamas should no longer have governance over Gaza and must cease to be a threat to Israel, affirming the necessity of the Palestinian Authority’s central role in the situation moving forward.
Continuing Violence and Human Cost
Despite the cease-fire, violence persists. In a recent incident, an Israeli airstrike resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians in Rafah, reportedly linked to individuals operating a drone that had crossed into Israeli territory. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli military actions have claimed over 48,000 Palestinian lives, predominantly affecting women and children, though the ministry does not classify how many deceased were combatants.
Hamas’s initial offensive in October 2023 resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities in Israel, with most casualties being civilians, along with the abduction of 251 individuals, most of whom have since been released through cease-fire agreements.
