Al-Akhbar: Disarming Hamas is a joint demand of Riyadh and Tel Aviv.
In an article referring to Riyadh’s plan for Gaza, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar described it as a milder version of Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan in this regard, writing: At the end of last September, the Saudi Foreign Ministry presented a document entitled “Saudi Arabia’s Vision for Achieving Peace and Stability in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank,” which reflects Riyadh’s vision for the “day after” in Gaza.
The media outlet reported: This plan is based on strengthening the role of the Fatah movement and marginalizing the Hamas movement and gradually disarming it, and its mechanism is cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and coordination of efforts with Egypt and Jordan to reduce Hamas’s influence. Riyadh also supports the deployment of an international force in Gaza.
Al-Akhbar continued: This plan is similar to Netanyahu’s plan, with the difference that Netanyahu emphasizes the complete removal of Hamas from power and the elimination of its military or civilian capabilities. At the same time, Saudi Arabia calls for the gradual marginalization of this movement by reducing its military and administrative role under the guise of uniting the Palestinian ranks.
The media outlet stated that Netanyahu desires to hand Gaza over to experienced local authorities, but Saudi Arabia wants to reform the self-government organization and empower it in Gaza.
Al-Akhbar wrote: Regarding the resistance’s weapons, both sides want them to be disarmed. Tel Aviv seeks complete military disarmament of the resistance, while Riyadh wants the resistance to be disarmed through international and regional agreements.
The media outlet stated: A notable point in the Saudi plan is the neglect of UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), which emphasizes supporting Gaza through international channels under the supervision of the United Nations without mentioning UNRWA. This view is in line with Netanyahu’s, who wants to dismantle UNRWA and replace it with international aid.
Al-Akhbar wrote: Both Saudi Arabia and Netanyahu want to strengthen the role of Arab countries in Gaza, with the enemy Prime Minister speaking of aid from experienced Arab countries, and Saudi Arabia speaking of the role of Egypt and Jordan in reducing Hamas’ military influence.
The media outlet concluded by writing: Despite the similarity of Saudi Arabia and Israel’s demands for Hamas’ disarmament, they differ in two respects, namely Saudi Arabia’s demand for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, which Netanyahu opposes. Secondly, Saudi Arabia wants the Palestinian Authority to play a role in Gaza, which Israel does not accept.
According to IRNA, the Hamas movement issued a statement on Thursday, October 17, 1404, officially announcing the achievement of an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip and exchange prisoners.
The Israeli army also officially announced the implementation of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Friday afternoon, and announced: According to the agreement, Israeli forces will remain stationed in certain areas of the Gaza Strip, and movement from the south to the north of the Gaza Strip will be permitted via Al-Rashid Street and Salahuddin Road.
This is while the Israeli regime continues to obstruct the implementation of the provisions of the first phase of the ceasefire and its repeated violations.