Middle-East

Ruto endorses Qatar-Egypt-US initiative to end Israel-Palestine conflict

President William Ruto. (Photo: PSC)

By Mwangi Maina | Monday, June 3, 2024

Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators called on Israel and Hamas Saturday to "finalise" the truce deal.

President William Ruto has endorsed the peace plan proposed by Qatar, Egypt and the United States to address the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Ruto in a statement on Monday while en route to Seoul, South Korea for the Korea-Africa Summit, said the initiative is a crucial step in ending the conflict in the region.

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"I welcome the roadmap put forward by President Joe Biden to bring an end to the escalating and widening conflict between Israel and Palestine," President Ruto said.

"The comprehensive plan, jointly initiated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt proposes, in the first phase, a six-week ceasefire; withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza; release of hostages and remains; the return of Palestinians to North Gaza and access to humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected persons."

Ruto said the plan, if it holds, will pave the way for a reconstruction programme for Gaza.

"Finalise" truce deal

Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators called on Israel and Hamas Saturday to "finalise" the truce deal based on principles outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024, outlined by US President Joe Biden, which he said Jerusalem was offering as a new roadmap towards a full ceasefire.

Palestinians look at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on May 5, 2024. (Photo: Reuters/Hatem Khaled)

These principles aim to address the demands of all parties and propose a deal that serves multiple interests, offering immediate relief to the people of Gaza.

Acting as mediators, Qatar, Egypt, and the US highlighted the necessity for compromises to achieve a permanent ceasefire and end the crisis. The proposed roadmap seeks to bring peace to the region by resolving key issues and facilitating humanitarian aid.

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Saturday that mediators hope all parties will deal positively with the principles of the Gaza ceasefire proposal.

These principles are designed to address the key demands of all parties involved, proposing a comprehensive deal that serves multiple interests. The proposed agreement aims to bring immediate relief to the people of Gaza, who have suffered immensely from the conflict.

Egypt and the US emphasised the imperative for Hamas and Israel to demonstrate flexibility and goodwill in pursuit of a resolution.

At least 34,735 people, mostly women and children, have been killed and 78,018 wounded in Israel's assault on Gaza since October, according to Palestinian authorities. The offensive has destroyed much of Gaza and a near-total siege has pushed parts of it to the brink of famine.