"We Made Progress".. Whitkoff Reveals the Details of the Miami Meeting on Gaza

SadaNews - The U.S. President's envoy, Steve Whitkoff, announced on Saturday the details of the Miami meeting that included representatives from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey on Friday, to review the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and to enhance preparations for the second phase.

Whitkoff explained in a joint statement for the participants in the discussions that the first phase of the Gaza agreement has made tangible progress, which included expanding the scope of humanitarian aid, the return of hostages' bodies, and the partial withdrawal of the Israeli army, along with a decrease in the level of hostilities.

During the discussions regarding the second phase, the attendees emphasized the importance of enabling a governing authority in Gaza that operates under a unified Palestinian authority.

The participants also expressed their support for the establishment and activation of a "Peace Council" in the near term, to act as a transitional administration taking charge of civil and security pathways, as well as the reconstruction process.

Furthermore, the next steps for the phased implementation of the comprehensive peace plan for Gaza were reviewed, emphasizing the importance of sequencing, coordination, and effective monitoring mechanisms, in cooperation with local institutions in Gaza and international partners.

The attendees confirmed their full commitment to all the provisions of the 20-point peace plan proposed by the U.S. President and called on all parties to fulfill their commitments, exercise restraint, and cooperate with the monitoring arrangements. They also indicated that further consultations would be held in the coming weeks to advance the implementation of the second phase.

Additionally, the discussions addressed infrastructure development measures, cooperation in the areas of energy, water, and other shared resources, as essential elements for Gaza's recovery, enhancing regional stability, and achieving long-term prosperity.

It is noteworthy that since the ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into effect on October 10, the U.S. has urged a transition to the second phase, amidst Israeli and international assurances that this transition will not be easy but rather complicated.

Israel demands Hamas to disarm and seeks to prevent it from any future administrative role in Gaza.

In contrast, Hamas insists that it will not relinquish its weapons and demands a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the region.