In a major development of the crisis in Gaza, several countries emerge as potential host land for recently released Palestinian prisoners, while others categorically refuse this option.
These maneuvers recall the previous history of 1982, when the PLO and Yasser Arafat were forced to exile in Tunisia, a model that Israel seems to want to reproduce today in its search for a solution to put an end to the conflict in Gaza, while accepting the survival of Hamas out of the Palestinian enclave.
Indeed, this situation is part of the larger framework of negotiations for a conflict resolution, where Israel is considering a scenario inspired by the “Tunisian model” of 1982. History facts. One of the objectives of the Israeli military intervention conducted in Lebanon in 1982 was to postpone the PLO (organization of Liberation of Palestine) outside Southern Lebanon, a region which is used as a basis for launching attacks against the occupied territories. After leaving Lebanon, Yasser Arafat chooses Tunisia to install the OLP headquarters. He settled there on September 3, 1982.
Negotiations in progress for the reception of Palestinian prisoners: Egypt, Turkey and Qatar on the front line
Tunisia and Algeria decline, while discussions continue with other countries for exile of Hamas members
According to Palestinian radio Ajyal, quoting an informed source, Egypt has positioned itself as a temporary guardian of prisoners, agreeing to host them until permanent solutions are found.
Cairo notably undertook to welcome Fatah members throughout their period of exile. Turkey and Qatar have already taken the plunge, each accepting to welcome fifteen Palestinian prisoners, according to Amjad Najjar, spokesperson for the Society of Palestinian Prisoners.
Ankara has particularly been ready to host up to 50 Jerusalem prisoners affiliated in Hamas.
On the other hand, Tunisia and Algeria firmly refused any participation in this reception program. Negotiations are actively continuing with other nations, including Indonesia and Iran, for the accommodation of remaining prisoners.
In this context, American president Donald Trump underlined the complexity of the situation, in particular concerning the refusal of Egypt and Jordan to welcome inhabitants of Gaza.
“Egypt and Jordan have said that they would not accept residents of Gaza, but I said that they would do it,” he said, evoking discussions in progress with several countries that have been willing to welcome inhabitants of the enclave.
According to Najjar, a glimmer of hope exists for these exiles: many of them will be able to return “in their homeland” after a period of three years, according to information relayed by the Israeli media.
