Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar Urge Israel to Honor Gaza Ceasefire

Turkey, Egypt and Qatar issued a joint statement condemning recent Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. The three countries, which are trying to broker an end to the conflict, called on Israel to honor its commitments under the ceasefire and avoid actions that could lead to further escalation.

They were responding to Israeli attacks in which, according to medical officials, at least 16 Palestinians have been killed since Tuesday. Israel says its targets are Hamas militants. Turkey, Egypt and Qatar warned that the intensification of Israeli attacks undermines regional and international efforts to implement a comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza.

Disagreements also persist over the sequence of steps outlined in US President Donald Trump's plan. The proposal called for Hamas to gradually hand over its weapons while Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza and ended military operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected this and is demanding the complete disarmament of Hamas before Israeli forces withdraw. Hamas is calling for compliance with the ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and also questions the proposed sequence of steps.

According to health authorities in Gaza, at least 1,283 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect last October. The Israeli military reports that four Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period.

Mediators have called on the international community and Trump's Board of Peace, which oversees the ceasefire, to take the necessary steps to ensure compliance and prevent further escalation.

(Reuters, max)