Jordan Proposes Hamas Exile to End War
Jordan has proposed a plan to remove approximately 3,000 Hamas members from Gaza, aiming to end the ongoing war with Israel, Middle East Eye reports. The plan includes disarming resistance factions and transferring governance to the Palestinian Authority.
Jordan’s Plan to Remove Hamas from Gaza
A new diplomatic effort led by Jordan seeks to exile around 3,000 Hamas members, including military and political leaders, from the Gaza Strip. According to American and Palestinian sources, the initiative aims to dismantle Hamas’s control over Gaza and facilitate the Palestinian Authority’s takeover. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry has yet to comment on the proposal.
Escalating Violence in Gaza
The proposal comes amid a sharp increase in Israeli military operations. On March 18, Israeli airstrikes targeted pre-dawn Ramadan meals, killing 400 civilians, nearly 200 of them children. Since then, another 300 Palestinians have been killed, bringing the total Palestinian death toll since October 2023 to over 50,000, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. More than 113,000 people have been wounded in the conflict.
Ceasefire Breakdown and Diplomatic Efforts
A three-phase ceasefire agreement was previously brokered, outlining an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, Israel halted progress beyond the first phase, prompting Hamas to reject further extensions. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff reiterated Washington’s position on Friday, stating that Hamas must be removed from governance and disarmed.
Hamas Rejects Exile and Disarmament
Proposals for Hamas leaders to leave Gaza in exchange for ending the war have surfaced repeatedly. Israeli commander Gal Hirsch previously suggested that Israel could halt hostilities if Hamas leaders agreed to a safe departure, coupled with the release of Israeli captives. However, Hamas has consistently refused such deals, maintaining that it will remain armed as long as Israel’s occupation continues.