Egypt intensifies efforts to reach a truce in Gaza

Hassan Al-Warfalli, Agencies (Capitals)

Egypt has intensified its efforts to reach a truce in the Gaza Strip, stressing the need for all parties to engage seriously to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Strip. This came as Washington’s new proposal was widely welcomed by Arab and international audiences.
An Egyptian source said yesterday that his country is intensifying efforts to reach a truce in Gaza in light of Washington’s new proposal, revealing a meeting hosted by Cairo on Sunday, in the presence of an American and an Israeli, to discuss opening the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip.
According to the source: “There are intense Egyptian efforts to return to truce negotiations in the Gaza Strip in light of the recent American proposal.”
He revealed an Egyptian-American-Israeli meeting scheduled to be held on Sunday in Cairo to discuss restarting the Rafah crossing, in light of Egypt’s adherence to a complete Israeli withdrawal from the crossing.
He pointed out that “Egypt confirmed to all parties its firm and consistent position not to open the Rafah crossing as long as Israeli control remains over the Palestinian side of it.”
Yesterday, the US President spoke about Israel submitting a three-stage proposal that includes a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of detainees, and the reconstruction of the Strip.
Qatar, Egypt and the United States, as mediators in the ongoing discussions to ensure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages and detainees, called on both the Palestinian factions and Israel to conclude an agreement that embodies the principles set by US President Joe Biden. The three countries stated, in a joint press statement, These principles bring together the demands of all parties in a deal that serves multiple interests, and would immediately end the long suffering of all Gazans, as well as the long suffering of the hostages and their families.
She added that this agreement provides a roadmap for a permanent ceasefire and ending the crisis.
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed yesterday, during his meeting with Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican Minority Leader of the US Senate Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, the need for all parties to engage seriously to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
Senator Graham praised “the pivotal and fundamental role that Egypt plays in supporting security and stability in the region, and the strategic partnership that brings together Egypt and the United States.” He praised the Egyptian efforts and mediation to contain the situation in the Gaza Strip, valuing the burdens that Egypt bears in implementing relief aid. Senator Graham listened to the Egyptian President’s vision on ways to resolve the crisis in the Gaza Strip.
In this regard, the Egyptian President stressed the importance of uniting international efforts to stop the war and prevent the expansion of its humanitarian and security repercussions.
He warned of the danger of continuing Israeli military operations in the city of Rafah, and the associated worsening of the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the people of the Gaza Strip, in addition to its repercussions on regional security.
He stressed the need for all parties to engage seriously to reach a ceasefire agreement, allowing progress towards implementing the two-state solution, as it is the best path to ensuring justice and sustainable security in the region.
Meanwhile, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his American counterpart, Anthony Blinken, discussed ceasefire efforts in the Gaza Strip and the details of the American proposal to stop the war.
This came during a phone call between the two sides, according to a statement by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, yesterday, during which there was also a consensus of views on an exchange deal between the factions and Israel, which is being mediated by Qatari, Egyptian, and American.
The statement stated that the two ministers discussed the efforts made to reach an immediate ceasefire, bring immediate and sufficient aid into Gaza, and agree on an exchange deal through negotiations conducted through Egyptian, Qatari, and American efforts.
Al-Safadi stressed the need to stop the war on Gaza and end the humanitarian catastrophe it is causing immediately, open all crossings to the entry of aid, enable United Nations organizations to distribute it, and oblige Israel to respect international law and international humanitarian law.
In this context, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced yesterday his country’s support for the three-stage ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip, which was announced by US President Joe Biden the day before yesterday.
In a post on the “X” platform, Trudeau described the proposal as an opportunity to end suffering and move towards peace, calling for taking advantage of this opportunity. Yesterday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock considered the US President’s announcement a “glimmer of hope” on the path to establishing peace and ending the war.
The minister expressed her support for regional and international mediation efforts aimed at ending the war by saying that her country supports the efforts of the United States, Qatar and Egypt aimed at ending the cycle of violence.
The European Union also welcomed the American proposal. European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell said: “We fully support the road map announced by President Biden for a permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages, which will lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of the Israeli army, and the start of reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.” “The war must end now,” Borrell added.