Islamabad:
Foreign Ministers in Eight Muslim Country-Jordan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt-Sunday greeted Sunday the steps announced by Hamas in response to US President Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal to quit Gaza war.
Hamas announced the release of hostages and the start of the negotiations for a lasting peace scheme. In a joint statement released by the Foreign Office here, they said they “greeted the steps that Hamas has taken” and “President Trump’s call to Israel to immediately stop the bombing and to start implementing the exchange agreement.”
They expressed appreciation of Trump’s “Obligation to Establish Peace in the Region”, which denotes development a “real opportunity” to achieve extensive and sustainable ceasefire and tackle the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The ministers also greeted Hamas’ announcement that it was ready to hand over the administration of Gaza to a transitional Palestinian administrative committee consisting of independent technocrats. They emphasized the urgent need to start negotiations on implementation mechanisms for the proposal and address all related aspects.
The declaration repeated the joint obligation of the countries to work against the immediate end of the hostilities of Gaza, ensuring the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian assistance, preventing displacement of Palestinians and avoiding all measures that are jeopardizing civilians.
It also called for the release of hostages, the return of the Palestinian authority to the Gaza, the Association of Gaza and the West Bank and a full Israeli withdrawal leading to reconstruction and a path to a righteous peace based on the solution of the two-state.
The joint statement came in the midst of growing regional and international focus on President Trump’s recently revealed 20-point Gaza Peace Plan, aiming to stop the two-year conflict and establish a framework for Gaza’s governance and reconstruction.
According to details released by US officials, the 20-point plan includes an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages within 72 hours and a phase Israeli withdrawal from Gaza to predetermined lines.
It also requires the establishment of an international stabilization force to monitor the ceasefire, the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a technocratic transition administration for GAZA under international supervision.
The proposal also imagines a large -scale restructuring program entitled “New Gaza” to be funded by international donors, while Hamas excludes from any future governing role. In the longer term, the plan gradually promises movement against Palestinian self-government and a two-state political settlement.
While Israel has accepted the plan, Hamas said on Friday that it was prepared to cooperate on key regulations – including the release of all prisoners and final hostilities – provided Israel stops its military operations and allows negotiations to continue.
However, several Muslim countries, including Pakistan, have maintained that the US version of the plan differs from a draft previously discussed among Arab and Islamic states. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told Parliament on Friday that “changes were made in the draft without consultation”.
The Foreign Minister added that although Pakistan supports all efforts to end the war, “the plan must adapt to the principles and proposals previously agreed by Muslim countries.”
Diplomatic sources said that Pakistan and other regional states now focused on ensuring that the implementation of any agreement guarantees unlimited humanitarian access, no displacement of Palestinians and the return of the Palestinian authority to Gaza.
The Trump Peace Plan, presented during meetings at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month, has been the most ambitious international initiative since the beginning of the 2023 Gaza war. Brokers from Egypt and Qatar are expected to facilitate indirect conversations between Israel and Hamas in the coming days to end practical steps towards a ceasefire and prisoner exchange.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office on Sunday confirmed that Senator Mushtaq Ahmad, who was aboard Sumud Aid Flotilla, on its way to Gaza, is in the detention of Israeli forces, but is safe and in good health.
In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the spokesman said Pakistan was in contact with his international partners to ensure “security and quick return” of the citizens who were “illegally detained by the Israeli occupation forces.”
“Through the diplomatic channels of a friendly European country, we have confirmed that former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad is in custody of the Israeli occupation forces and is safe and in good health,” the statement states.
The spokesman added that Senator Mushtaq would be presented to a court under local legal procedures, after which his deportation orders were expected. “After the issuance of deportation orders, his return will ease on a quick track,” the statement states.
The Foreign Office noted that Pakistan had already coordinated the safe return of several citizens who previously went from the flotilla. It also expressed “in -depth gratitude to the fraternal countries that helped with the return of our citizens.”
“The Government of Pakistan remains obliged to protect all its citizens abroad and foresee the end of this repatriation process within the coming days,” the statement added.
Sumud Flotilla, carrying international activists and humanitarian aid, was captured by Israeli forces earlier this week while trying to break the blockade at Gaza. Among the detainees were several foreign nationals, including Pakistanis whose release and repatriation are now being pursued through diplomatic channels.
