I can’t claim that the joint states of the US, Egypt and Qatar is a direct result of my attempts to get them to change the rules of the game, but I think I may have influenced them to some extent. The Egyptian Head of Intelligence and the Qatari PM received my proposal on July 28. Someone in the NSC in the White House received it the following day. I didn’t expect them to accept all of what I proposed, but the main part – telling Israel and Hamas – enough is enough and the rules of the game are changing – is what the three mediators essentially did. Now they need to put their bridging proposals on the table (I sent them a bridging proposal as well) the main one being that the whole deal needs to be done in 6 weeks – all 115 hostages will be released, the war will end, Israeli will withdraw from Gaza, the Philidephi corridor will be sealed hermetically on the Egyptian side with American inspection and technology if needed, a large number of Palestinian prisoners will be released to their homes, it will be determined how to operate all of the crossings into Gaza for significantly increased humanitarian aid, and they will have a plan for a regional determination for the legitimate governing of Gaza. There are more details, but these are the main elements of the bridging proposal I sent.
Joint Statement from the Leaders of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar
It is time to bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families. The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal.
The three of us and our teams have worked tirelessly over many months to forge a framework agreement that is now on the table with only the details of implementation left to conclude. This agreement is based on the principles as outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024, and endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2735.
There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay. It is time to release the hostages, begin the ceasefire, and implement this agreement.
As mediators, if necessary, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties.
We have called on both sides to resume urgent discussion on Thursday, August 15 in Doha or Cairo to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay.
President of the United States Joe Biden
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Amir of the State of Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
