Responding to the Peace Council, Hamas Emphasizes Israel Must Stop Attacks in Gaza
JAKARTA - There will be no future arrangement regarding the Gaza Strip and its people until Israel stops its attacks, lifts its blockade, and guarantees the people's right to self-determination, the Palestinian militant group Hamas said after the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council in Washington D.C., United States on Thursday.
The group also pointed to Israel's continued violations of an October ceasefire that has so far killed at least 600 people.
Hamas called on the international community, mediators, and members of the Peace Council to force Israel to "stop its attacks, allow aid to enter Gaza, and immediately begin reconstruction".
"Genuine international efforts to achieve stability in Gaza must be based on addressing the root causes of the problem, namely the occupation, and ending its policies," the group said in a statement, launching The National (20/2).
It is known that US President Donald Trump held the first meeting of the Peace Council attended by a number of heads of state or heads of government to high officials.
A video played at the event stated that construction would initially focus on the southern city of Rafah, with the aim of rebuilding it entirely within three years.
The video says that in 10 years, Gaza will have its own government and be integrated into the region with "a thriving industry and housing for all". The video does not address what will happen to Palestinians during the transition period.
The UN Security Council resolution supports the establishment of the council as part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, which has been approved by both sides.
However, Israel has so far failed to abide by the agreement, which states that the Rafah border crossing must be reopened and all hostilities must be ended. Israel continues to accuse Hamas of violating the ceasefire.
Sources told The National, Israel repeatedly cited Hamas violations as a reason for refusing to allow Palestinians to enter and leave Gaza.
On the other hand, nine out of 10 people in Gaza have been displaced more than once. Israel has wounded and killed hundreds of thousands of people since the war began on October 7, 2023, officials at the region's Ministry of Health said.
But a report in 'The Lancet' estimates the death toll is actually much higher as a direct and indirect result of the Israeli attacks, which have destroyed hospitals and homes, as well as 80 percent of Gaza's basic infrastructure and services.
Last week, Israel said Hamas would be given a 60-day deadline to disarm or Israeli forces would "complete the mission". Israeli Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, an adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the countdown could begin after the first meeting of the Peace Council.
Although the provisions of the first phase of the peace plan were not fully complied with, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in January announced the start of the second phase.
This is expected to disarm Hamas, the further withdrawal of Israeli forces, the entry of a UN-approved Palestinian technocratic committee into Gaza to run the daily affairs of the region, and the arrival of international stabilization forces to maintain security. Israel has so far refused the entry of the committee into Gaza.