DaysofPal- Egypt has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to obstruct the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which entered into force on October 10, according to statements by Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt’s State Information Service.
Speaking to Cairo News channel on Thursday, Rashwan said Netanyahu is seeking to derail the agreement by escalating tensions beyond Gaza, exploiting strained U.S.–Iran relations in the hope of triggering a broader confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Such a development, he warned, could be used as a pretext to resume military operations in Gaza and undermine the ceasefire framework.
However, Rashwan stressed that renewed fighting in the Strip faces a firm American “veto,” indicating that the United States is unwilling to allow a return to large-scale hostilities.
Rashwan said all available indicators suggest the U.S. administration has settled its position in favor of launching the second phase of the agreement in early January.
He noted that a scheduled meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Netanyahu on December 29 is expected to mark the definitive political signal for moving forward.
“President Trump is a pragmatic leader who wants to finalize the historic achievement,” Rashwan said, adding that the Gaza ceasefire is the only foreign policy initiative over the past year to bear Trump’s name, highlighting the importance of the file to the U.S. president.
Rashwan warned that Netanyahu is attempting to reinterpret the second phase by reducing it to a demand for the disarmament of Palestinian resistance factions, an issue that is not included in the ceasefire agreement and is well understood by Washington.
He also pointed to Israeli attempts to expand the mandate of any stabilization or peace-support force beyond what was agreed, including assigning it responsibilities such as disarmament.
According to Rashwan, participating countries would reject such a move, as it falls outside the scope of the deal.
While acknowledging that Israeli maneuvers could cause delays or slow the pace of implementation, Rashwan said they would not be able to stop the second phase altogether due to U.S. insistence on proceeding and Washington’s detailed knowledge of the agreement’s terms.
Addressing proposals to forcibly displace Gaza’s population, Rashwan said such ideas have long circulated among extremist and far-right groups in the Israeli occupation.
He explained that the Israeli occupation initially assumed President Trump did not fully grasp the implications of displacement when he spoke about transforming Gaza into a “Riviera.”
“After extensive engagement by Egypt and other mediators, President Trump came to understand the true meaning and consequences of displacement,” Rashwan said, noting that the plan now explicitly rules out forced removal and guarantees the right of return for anyone who leaves voluntarily.
Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring full implementation of the ceasefire and preventing actions that threaten regional stability or Palestinian rights.
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