Discussions regarding the future of Gaza need to commence with a complete cessation of Israeli “aggression,” according to Palestinian group Hamas, following the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.
Hamas emphasized in a statement on Thursday that any political process or arrangement related to Gaza and the Palestinian people’s future must initiate with the immediate halt of aggression, removal of the blockade, and assurance of the people’s legitimate national rights, particularly their right to freedom and self-determination.
During the board’s first session in Washington, various countries committed resources and personnel for the reconstruction of the Palestinian territory, which comes after over four months of a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has stressed that Hamas must disarm before any reconstruction efforts can commence.
“We have reached an understanding with our ally, the US, that Gaza’s demilitarization must precede any reconstruction,” Netanyahu stated.
Although Netanyahu was absent from the Washington gathering, his foreign minister Gideon Saar represented Israel. Trump announced that multiple countries, mainly from the Gulf region, have pledged over seven billion dollars for the territory’s rebuilding. Indonesia is set to play a deputy commander role within the emerging International Stabilisation Force.
