- The Gaza negotiations encounter complications due to the ongoing Israel-Egypt disagreement.
As diplomatic efforts to ceasefire in the Gaza Strip persist, UN officials are urging heightened attempts to administer urgent polio vaccinations to hundreds of thousands of children in the conflict-ridden region. Baxter, the emergency health unit head at Save the Children, stated at a UN Security Council meeting in New York, "If precautionary measures aren't implemented swiftly, the polio outbreak won't just be a disaster for Gaza's children, but it could severely hinder worldwide efforts to wipe out the disease."
The coming month will witness a vaccination campaign backed by numerous nations requesting a ceasefire in Gaza. Polio outbreaks have been confirmed within the strip, and its isolated coastal border will not deter the spread of the disease, as mentioned by Baxter. Since the commencement of the war, approximately 50,000 children have been born and lack the necessary vaccinations. "The decimated healthcare infrastructure is utterly incapable of dealing with this new polio emergency," noted Baxter.
Polio is a highly contagious, infectious disease that can lead to permanent paralysis and even death, particularly among young children. It is usually transmitted through contaminated water, and there is no known cure for it.
Still Engaging in Ceasefire Discussions
An Israeli negotiating squad is currently holding discussions in Cairo over a potential ceasefire agreement, as per an Israeli government spokesperson. In addition, a delegation hailing from the USA has arrived at Cairo airport to engage in further talks, according to reliable sources.
The Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" cited an Israeli representative, stating that the negotiating team is preparing for a potential summit on Sunday "if Hamas shows signs of recognition." Egypt, Qatar, and the USA are facilitating dialogue between Israel and Hamas, as they do not engage directly with each other.
Report on New Israeli Proposals
The accord will include the liberation of Israeli hostages held by the Islamic Hamas and the release of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. However, Israel's enduring demand for permanent control of the southern border between Gaza and Egypt is one of the significant points of contention. According to the Israeli military, numerous Hamas tunnels exist beneath the so-called Philadelphi Corridor, which Israel requests control of in order to prevent weapon smuggling. Egypt vehemently denies the presence of such smuggling networks.
Israeli General Israel Ziv, in an interview with the "Wall Street Journal," commented, "There is an intense distrust between Israel and Egypt." The U.S. newspaper reported, citing Egyptian sources, on new Israeli proposals. Per these reports, Israel's negotiating team has proposed constructing eight observation towers within the corridor. The USA has presented an alternative proposal of building just two towers. However, Egypt rejects both proposals, arguing that such towers would give Israel's military continuous access to the area.
Netanyahu Reinforces Demands
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office disputed an afternoon news report suggesting that a multinational force may be stationed along the Philadelphi Corridor. According to the Qatari news website Al-Araby al-Jadid, such stationing was considered.
Netanyahu continues to advocate for preserving control of the Philadelphi Corridor to prevent Hamas' rearmament, as per his office's statement. This would forestall Hamas from repeating the deaths and kidnappings that occurred on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and other terrorist groups killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and captured over 250 hostages in Gaza, sparking the conflict.
Hamas accuses Israel of obstructing negotiations on a settlement by refusing to vacate the approximately 14-kilometer-long Philadelphi Corridor. The extremists demand a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. According to Egyptian officials cited by the "Wall Street Journal," Israeli military presence in the corridor violates the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty, which prohibits tank, artillery, and anti-aircraft weapon deployment there.
Concerns Over Negotiations' Failure
Egypt does not wish to be perceived as underwriting Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip, according to reports. However, Israel denies violating the treaty and insists on maintaining its military presence in the corridor, citing a lack of trust in Egypt's effectiveness in preventing Hamas' weapon smuggling, as per the US newspaper. Daniel Kurtzer, a former United States ambassador to Egypt and Israel, mused, "Perhaps Egypt and Israel will eventually find a resolution, but I'm unsure if there is a solution for Hamas' demands."
As per a recent report by the US news site "Politico," citing two Israeli and two American officials, the agreement appears to be in jeopardy, with no obvious alternative. In the event of failure, a major escalation in the Middle East is expected. After the killings of two high-ranking Israeli adversaries in Iran's capital Tehran and the Lebanese capital Beirut nearly three weeks ago, Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia threatened violent retribution.
The United Nations Security Council expressed concern over the potential impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza on the global polio eradication efforts, during a meeting headed by Baxter from Save the Children. If a ceasefire isn't reached and the situation deteriorates, the council members urged for immediate action to prevent the spread of polio beyond the Gaza Strip.
