Joint statement from US, Qatar and Egypt on Gaza ceasefire and hostage release

The leaders of the US, Qatar and Egypt released a joint statement on Thursday, highlighting the urgent need to bring relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza and their families, pushing to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal.

The three countries have prepared a meticulous agreement. Only the details of implementation are left to conclude. The deal is based on the principles as outlined by US President Joe Biden on May 31 and endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2735.

It is time to release the hostages and begin the ceasefire. The mediators have called on both Israel and Hamas to resume urgent discussions on Thursday in Doha or Cairo to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the agreement on the table.

Deteriorating Gaza crisis since October 7

The brutal Gaza crisis has been continuing since October 7. The recent deaths of more Palestinian children due to hunger and malnutrition indicate that famine has spread across the enclave, according to a UN statement in July, citing independent experts.

Humanitarian aid personnel continue to face tremendous risks as they try to distribute relief supplies. The ongoing Israel-Hamas fighting has depleted the heavily populated territory’s health system, leaving staff unable to treat malnourished children.

The Gaza situation deteriorated as Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli cities in October, killing some 1,200 people and taking several others hostages. Israel’s retaliatory strikes, on the other hand, have already claimed nearly 39,700 lives.

Killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh deepens crisis

Moments after the release of the joint statement by the US, Qatar and Egypt, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli negotiators are ready to be there. The aim is to finalise the details and implement the agreement, he added.

The statement came as the Israeli military sent out evacuation orders to Palestinian residents in several districts in eastern Khan Younis, saying it is planning to act forcefully against militants responsible for unleashing rockets from those areas, reported the Guardian.

Tensions in the Middle East have soared since Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh lost his life on July 31 in Iran, in an attack Tehran blames on Israel. Retaliation has been expected, raising serious concerns over the possibility of a broader regional conflict.