Qatar and Egypt Call for Israeli Troop Withdrawal from Gaza for Ceasefire

Qatar and Egypt are urging Israel to withdraw its troops from Gaza as the next step to implement the fragile ceasefire with Hamas. The two countries, acting as guarantors of the truce brokered by US President Donald Trump, are pushing for a swift formation of an international stabilisation force to take control of the Palestinian coastal enclave. This action is part of a US- and UN-backed peace plan that has been successful in halting the fighting. However, progress has stalled as Israel and Hamas have yet to agree on moving forward to the second phase of the 20-point plan. The first phase required Israeli troops to retreat behind a ‘yellow line’ within Gaza’s borders while Hamas released living hostages and handed over the remains of all but one deceased individual.