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Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye have jointly appealed to senior US officials to prevent Israel from conducting strikes in Gaza, according to a source familiar with the discussions who spoke to The Jerusalem Post on Monday.
The diplomatic push represents the latest effort by the three mediating nations to prevent renewed military operations in the territory as negotiations continue over Gaza's postwar governance and Hamas's weapons stockpile. The three countries made similar appeals over the weekend during talks involving President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
The request specifically called for blocking Israeli strikes within the Yellow Line—a designated area in Gaza—as well as other unspecified locations in the territory.
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During weekend discussions with Witkoff, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani presented a proposal under which Hamas would dismantle what they termed "heavy weapons" or "offensive weaponry" while retaining light arms.
A source familiar with the talks characterized the mediators' position, saying the message was that resuming war is undesirable and that a multinational force to disarm the militant group remains unlikely. The proposal, which has circulated in recent months during talks with Hamas officials, is now being formally presented to the Trump administration.
Israeli officials have consistently stated that Gaza reconstruction can begin only after the return of the final deceased hostage, Staff Sergeant Major Ran Gvili, and complete disarmament of Hamas. The mediating countries, however, advocate for simultaneous progress on both fronts.
"If you want to get Hamas to agree to give up even a portion of its weapons stockpile, then you have to offer it something in return," a regional diplomat told the Post, suggesting reconstruction could serve as an incentive.
Separate discussions are advancing on governing structures for Gaza following the conflict. Trump has announced plans to unveil a "board of peace" comprising regional and European leaders early next year to oversee aspects of the territory's management.
A list of candidates for a proposed technocratic government to administer Gaza has been submitted to Israel and is currently under review by Israeli intelligence agencies, including the Shin Bet and Mossad. Israeli officials have ruled out including anyone affiliated with either the Palestinian Authority or Hamas in such a government.
A source familiar with the negotiations identified next week's scheduled meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a pivotal moment for advancing the governance proposals.
"There is hope that this will accelerate the approval of the list regarding the technocratic government," the source said, noting that Israeli intelligence agencies now hold the decision. "Now we are just waiting for final approval."
The three mediating nations—Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye—have played central roles in previous ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with Qatar hosting Hamas's political leadership in Doha and Egypt controlling the Rafah border crossing into Gaza.
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