Two US officials also stressed, according to the report, that the ball is now in Hamas’s court to further implement the Gaza peace plan, which must agree to disarm: “We believe they will do that.” Meanwhile, Hamas emphasized in a statement its “commitment to complying with the agreements.” At the same time, she demanded that Israel fulfill its obligations without delay, “in particular the opening of the Rafah border crossing in both directions without restrictions.”
However, it is still unclear whether Israel will also allow the return of refugee Palestinians who are stuck in Egypt. The Rafah border crossing, which has been closed for almost a year, is considered the Gaza Strip’s most important gateway to the world. Israel’s military controls the Gaza side of the crossing. Ali Schaath, chairman of the new interim government for the coastal area on the Mediterranean that was largely destroyed in two years of war, announced last Thursday that the border crossing would be opened in both directions.
In addition, Israel must ensure the import of the necessary quantities of aid, completely withdraw its army from Gaza and make the work of the interim government easier, according to the Hamas statement. This government consists of 14 Palestinian professionals who are said to have no connection to Hamas. They were recently announced as part of the second phase of the peace plan already announced by the USA.
