"Qatar and Egypt, the guarantors of the Gaza ceasefire, called on Saturday for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the deployment of an international stabilisation force as the necessary next steps in fully implementing the fragile agreement. The measures were spelt out in the US- and UN-backed peace plan that has largely halted fighting, though the warring parties have yet to agree on how to move forward from the deal's first phase."
"Hamas said on Saturday that it was ready to hand over its weapons in the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian authority on the condition that the Israeli army's occupation ends. Our weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation and the aggression, Hamas's chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, said in a statement. If the occupation ends, these weapons will be placed under the authority of the state, he added."
Qatar and Egypt demanded Israeli troop withdrawal and deployment of an international stabilization force to fully implement the US- and UN-backed Gaza ceasefire. The plan’s first phase required Israeli forces to pull back behind a yellow line, while Hamas released remaining living hostages and handed over most remains. The ceasefire remains fragile as Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violations. The second phase has yet to begin, with disarmament of Hamas a major sticking point. Hamas rejects unconditional disarmament, saying its weapons are tied to occupation and will be transferred to a Palestinian authority only if the occupation ends.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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