Egypt proposal to end Gaza war would see Hamas relinquish control to technocrat government

Al Majalla reveals the terms suggested to stop the war with support from the US, Egypt and Qatar.

An Israeli soldier operates in the Gaza Strip in this handout picture released on December 29, 2023.
Reuters
An Israeli soldier operates in the Gaza Strip in this handout picture released on December 29, 2023.

Egypt proposal to end Gaza war would see Hamas relinquish control to technocrat government

The leadership of both Hamas and Islamic Jihad are currently pouring over a document presented to them by Egypt with proposals to end the war in Gaza.

It contains proposals for a unique route out of the war, combining regional and international diplomacy and covers strategies for post-conflict reconstruction. The two Palestinian groups are expected to provide written feedback to Cairo on the proposals.

Here, Al Majalla reveals the contents of the document and some of the people involved in compiling it and then looks at the main questions raised at a crucial time for regional and international politics at a time of war.


Techno-government

Firstly, it proposes the establishment of a neutral, technocratically led government responsible for administering both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This would require Hamas to relinquish its governance over Gaza on the condition of a permanent ceasefire.

Secondly, it outlines a tripartite sponsorship model for the agreement involving the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.

The genesis of this document can be traced back to Cairo, following deliberations among several key figures. These include Major General Abbas Kamel, the Director of Egyptian Intelligence; William Burns, the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency; and representatives from both Qatar and Israel.

Reuters
US President Joe Biden and CIA Director William Burns at the agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginia, US, July 8, 2022.

The proposed peace agreement is structured in multiple phases.

Here is a detailed breakdown of its contents:

Phase 1

1. A humanitarian deal lasting 7 to 10 days.

2. Hamas is to release all civilians in its custody, including women, children, the sick, and the elderly.

3. In exchange, Israel will release a mutually agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.

Key actions in this stage include:

1. A complete ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip on both sides.

2. The redeployment of Israeli forces away from residential areas.

3. Free movement for citizens and vehicles within the Gaza Strip.

4. Hamas commits to stopping all forms of operations against Israel.

5. Israel to halt all air activities, including drones and reconnaissance aircraft in the Gaza Strip.

6. Increased humanitarian and relief aid entry into the Gaza Strip, focusing on essential items like medicines, medical supplies, fuel, and food.

Phase 2

1. Hamas will release all detained Israeli female soldiers.

2. In return, a number of Palestinian prisoners, agreed upon by both sides, will be released by Israel.

3. This phase also includes the exchange of bodies held by both sides since the start of operations on October 7.

4. The duration of this phase is set for seven days, following the standards and procedures established in the first stage.

Phase 3

1. This stage involves a month-long negotiation concerning Hamas's release of all Israeli recruits. In return, Israel will release a number of Palestinian prisoners as mutually agreed upon by both parties.

2. During this phase, Israeli forces will be redeployed outside the borders of the Gaza Strip. Additionally, all Israeli air activities will remain ceased.

3. Hamas is to commit to stopping all its military activities against Israel.

AFP
Israeli soldiers sit in an infantry vehicle near the Gaza Strip border on December 27, 2023.

Additional provisions for the current stage:

1. A 48-hour ceasefire will be imposed between the two sides. This period is intended to prepare for the implementation of the proposal and to agree on the names of those to be released in the first and second phases by both Israel and Hamas. The negotiations will be indirect, taking place in Egypt with the participation of delegations from Israel and Hamas and involving Egyptian, Qatari, and American representatives.

2. The transition from one phase to the next will not occur until all the procedures of the preceding phase have been fully implemented.

3. Once Israel and Hamas agree on the proposal and exchange the lists of names, the implementation of the agreement will commence immediately upon the announcement of this agreement.

4. Both parties commit to adhering to the time limit for consensus in the third phase. Once an agreement is reached, it will be announced concurrently with a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

5. Egypt, Qatar, and the US will coordinate the formation of a non-factional, non-political, technocratic government to administer the Gaza Strip and the West Bank once a complete ceasefire is announced.

6. Egypt, Qatar, and the US will act as guarantors and oversee the entire process.

Egypt proposes the establishment of a neutral, technocratically led government responsible for administering the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. This would require Hamas to relinquish its governance over Gaza on the condition of a permanent ceasefire.

How many hostages and prisoners are there?

Israel reports that 129 individuals are currently held hostage, with at least 21 suspected dead. The hostages predominantly consist of men but also include 19 women and two children. All are Israeli citizens, with 11 having dual nationalities, including Thai, Nepalese, Tanzanian, and a dual French-Mexican national.

Reuters
A man walks in front of a wall poster of hostages kidnapped in the October 7 Hamas attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 27, 2023.

How many were released?

In recent exchanges, Hamas released 110 civilian detainees and 11 bodies, which included three men mistakenly killed by Israeli forces. In response, Israel freed 240 Palestinian prisoners. 

What is the position of Hamas and Islamic Jihad on the Egyptian initiative?

Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas and Ziad Nakhla of Islamic Jihad have visited Cairo to discuss the proposal. Both parties have expressed their commitment to a permanent ceasefire and rejected the possibility of a temporary truce followed by renewed bombings, as happened in November.

They are advocating for an "all for all" exchange, demanding the release of Israeli detainees in exchange for about 6,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Egyptian officials, addressing the concerns of the Palestinian parties, said the proposal in the written paper remains open for negotiation.

This flexibility comes after the Palestinian parties raised objections to certain aspects, particularly those related to the establishment of a "government of technocrats" that would operate without their participation and potentially lead to the reinstatement of the Palestinian Authority, taking a similar role in Gaza as it has in the West Bank.

An official highlighted concern that the proposal seems to replicate the West Bank model, which involves security coordination with Israel while leaving administrative matters to the Palestinians, a scenario deemed unacceptable by the parties.

Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad are preparing to send their written responses to the Egyptian proposals.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, received a phone call from US President Joe Biden to discuss the latest developments in Gaza.

What are the positions of the other parties?

Israel has announced its intention to escalate military operations. Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy stated from the Gaza border on 26 December that the war could continue "for several months."

AFP
An aerial view on December 26, 2023 shows the destroyed buildings in Beit Lahia after Israeli bombing in the northern Gaza Strip.

Concurrently, there are ongoing Arab and international efforts to secure a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal. Both Jordan's King Abdullah and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi have expressed their rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians, either internally or across borders.

Regarding international involvement, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, received a phone call from US President Joe Biden to discuss the latest developments in Gaza, according to the Qatari News Agency. This conversation focused on the joint mediation efforts to calm the situation in the Strip and reach a permanent ceasefire.

What is the difference between the positions of the US and Israel?

The US continues to provide military, intelligence, and diplomatic support to Israel in its conflict with Gaza. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Drimmer, an ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed moving to a new phase in the war with a focus on important, critical goals.

Their meeting also covered post-war issues such as governance and security in Gaza, creating a political horizon for the Palestinians, and continuing work on normalisation.

The US is advocating for a role for the "reformed" Palestinian National Authority in Gaza and believes it is essential to maintain communication between Gaza and the West Bank.

Conversely, Israel rejects a role for the Authority in Gaza and prefers a "security solution" for the Strip, isolated from the West Bank. Washington is also urging Tel Aviv to take practical steps to improve the humanitarian situation and reduce harm to civilians.

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