Gaza (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Israel plans to demolish the remaining Hamas tunnel network under Gaza, with US approval, after the release of hostages, as part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement for Gaza.
Following days of negotiations last week, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on the initial phase of a ceasefire in Gaza. The Israeli military reports that a ceasefire in Palestinian territory began at 12:00 local time (10:00 BST) on Friday. Its forces have withdrawn to an agreed location within the area, although they continue to occupy half of the Strip.
How will Israel destroy the remaining Hamas tunnel network?
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Sunday that he directed the military to ready itself to destroy Hamas’s Gaza tunnels, aligning with Trump’s plan to disarm the organisation.
“The major challenge for Israel after the [first] stage of returning the hostages will be the destruction of all of Hamas’s terror tunnels in Gaza, both directly by the IDF and through the international mechanism that will be established under U.S. leadership and oversight,” Katz said.
“This is the primary meaning of implementing the agreed principle of demilitarising the Gaza Strip and disarming Hamas,” wrote the defence minister. “I have instructed the IDF to prepare to carry out the mission.”
What is the current status of the ceasefire progress?
Bulldozers start clearing debris in Gaza City as tens of thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinians return to devastated towns and cities in northern Gaza. Moreover, Israel has started moving Palestinian prisoners to two jails ahead of their release, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The deal also includes the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.
As reported, dozens of aid trucks also began entering Gaza this morning, with images showing lines of lorries at the Rafah crossing into Egypt. Under the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement that took effect on Friday, the volume of aid entering Gaza is expected to rise.
Who will attend the upcoming Gaza ceasefire summit in Egypt?
Preparations are also underway for a Gaza ceasefire summit in Egypt, as U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to lead an international peace summit there on Monday, alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
On Saturday, a spokesperson for Egypt’s presidency stated that the summit aims to “end the war in the Gaza Strip, bolster peace and stability initiatives in the Middle East, and usher in a new chapter in regional security and stability.” A spokesman for al-Sisi stated that leaders from over 20 countries are expected to attend the event in Sharm El-Sheikh.
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