US, Egypt, Qatar push for ‘comprehensive deal’ to end Gaza war

Intense diplomatic efforts are underway, led by the United States alongside Egypt and Qatar, to reach a “comprehensive deal” that would end the war on the Gaza Strip, in a race against time to prevent a new full-scale invasion being prepared by the occupying forces for Gaza City.

In a sign of the seriousness of the talks, 'Israeli' newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff met Saturday with the Qatari prime minister on the Spanish island of Ibiza to discuss the plan in detail.

Outlines of the comprehensive deal

Sources cited by Yedioth Ahronoth said mediators are holding “marathon contacts” with 'Israel' and Hamas, exploring a “package of proposals” that could form the basis for an agreement. These proposals reportedly include:

• Ending the war and a complete withdrawal of occupying forces from the Gaza Strip.
• Releasing all captives held by Palestinian factions.
• Disarming Palestinian factions.
• Exiling a number of Hamas military leaders from the Strip.
• Forming a professional, non-political local administration to govern Gaza, supported by a professional police force.

The sources added that the three mediators - the US, Egypt, and Qatar - are discussing the proposals among themselves before presenting them to both sides, noting that a deal could be reached “unless Israel is determined to continue the war for its own calculations.”

Positions of the 'Israel' and Hamas

Officials from 'Israel' said US President Donald Trump’s stance is to “go all the way,” imposing conditions to end the fighting that include dismantling Hamas and disarming the Strip, according to Yedioth Ahronoth. They noted that the Israel' currently prefers reaching a “comprehensive deal.”

For its part, Hamas has said it is showing flexibility in an effort to reach an agreement but is preparing for the worst-case scenario. In an official statement Saturday, the group said: “We have shown all possible flexibility through the Egyptian and Qatari mediators to make the ceasefire succeed. We are ready for a comprehensive deal to release all occupation captives in a way that ensures ending the war and the withdrawal of enemy forces.”

A Hamas source added: “We are interested in reaching an agreement… but if fighting is imposed on us, we will fight. There are proposed ideas we are discussing with high national responsibility.”