Report: Saudi Arabia and France Considering Proposal to Relocate Hamas Leaders to Algeria

A recent report from a Riyadh-based think tank has proposed a solution to the Gaza crisis, as revealed by the French newspaper Le Monde.

The proposal includes relocating military leaders of Hamas to Algeria and suggests the establishment of an Arab peacekeeping force in the Palestinian region, according to the French publication.

The secret plan, authored by Abdelaziz al-Saqer, head of the Gulf Research Center in Saudi Arabia, emerged following a discussion between al-Saqer and Anne Grillo of the French Foreign Ministry on November 19 in Riyadh.

The document aims to halt conflicts in Gaza and bring stability to the area, primarily through the relocation of key Hamas figures, potentially including Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar, to Algiers. Algeria is considered a suitable location due to its strong ties with Qatar and Iran, who are major backers of Hamas, and its ability to monitor these leaders effectively.

This strategy echoes the historical incident in 1982 when Yasser Arafat and Palestinian fighters were evacuated from besieged Beirut to Athens, and eventually Tunis, under French naval escort.

Additionally, the plan by al-Saqer includes the formation of an Arab peacekeeping force in Gaza under UN supervision and the establishment of a transitional council composed of major factions in Gaza, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah. This council would govern the enclave for four years and oversee the conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections, as per the proposal.