Muslim countries condemn Israeli rejection of Gaza plan

A coalition of five Arab countries, including Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, alongside Türkiye, Pakistan, and Indonesia, has jointly condemned Israel's rejection of a Gaza ceasefire plan initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The group warned that this refusal directly threatens Trump's intensified efforts to end the conflict and foster lasting peace in the region.

The plan, which Hamas agreed to on July 30, involved handing over its weapons to a new Palestinian governing body. Trump hailed this agreement as a "major milestone." However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a critical re-election campaign in October, voiced his rejection of the deal, expressing doubt that Hamas would genuinely disarm.

Despite assurances that Israel would not be required to withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip until Hamas had completely disarmed, Netanyahu maintained his opposition. The joint statement, issued by the foreign ministers of the involved nations, explicitly condemned Israel's stance. They stated that rejecting the "Road Map" constitutes a clear refusal to implement the Comprehensive Plan and directly threatens to derail the extensive efforts made by President Trump.

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Rejecting the Road Map constitutes an explicit refusal to proceed with the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and directly threatens to derail the extensive efforts exerted by US President Trump to bring an end to the war in Gaza and establish the conditions for lasting peace.

The ministers further emphasized that Israel bears "direct and full responsibility for any consequences resulting from its continued rejection, obstruction, delay or non-compliance." This includes any deterioration of the situation on the ground and disruption to efforts to end the war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump's special envoy, Jared Kushner, was reportedly in Egypt for talks with various representatives, including Hamas. Mediators informed Hamas that Kushner would meet with the group's leadership, in the presence of Egyptian and Qatari officials, before traveling to Israel to meet Prime Minister Netanyahu. A Hamas source indicated that the United States sought clarifications from the group on several points.

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They further stress that Israel bears direct and full responsibility for any consequences resulting from its continued rejection, obstruction, delay or non-compliance, including any resulting deterioration of the situation on the ground and disruption of ending the war in Gaza.