Egypt's Foreign Minister Calls for Immediate Ceasefire Implementation in Gaza
Badr Abdelatty emphasizes the need for continued negotiations and humanitarian aid delivery during a meeting with EU commissioner.
Egypt's Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored the critical need for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza during a press conference in Cairo on Sunday, following discussions with Dubravka Suica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean.
Abdelatty expressed urgency regarding the commencement of negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
In the joint press conference, he highlighted three key points: the necessity of maintaining the ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as per the agreement, and the assurance of humanitarian aid delivery to the region.
He noted, "Egypt, Qatar, and the US are playing an active role, and we want to emphasize the importance of implementing (the ceasefire).
We must begin discussions on the second phase."
On the same day, Israel blocked aid trucks from entering Gaza, escalating tensions over the six-week ceasefire and prompting Hamas to seek intervention from Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
In parallel, discussions have emerged regarding a proposed temporary US ceasefire that would last until the end of Ramadan, around March 31, and the Jewish Passover holiday in mid-April.
This proposal requires Hamas to release half of the hostages, both living and deceased, on the first day of the ceasefire, with the remaining hostages set for release by the end of the ceasefire period.
Hamas reiterated its commitment to the original ceasefire aimed at leading to negotiations for a permanent resolution to the conflict.
Abdelatty stated that goodwill and commitment from all involved parties are vital for the success of upcoming discussions concerning a permanent ceasefire.
Addressing the need for a political framework post-ceasefire, Abdelatty called for a process that would ultimately lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He also urged all stakeholders to guarantee the effective delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza while rejecting its use as a form of collective punishment against the Palestinian population.
Abdelatty announced that a reconstruction plan for Gaza would be presented at an upcoming Arab emergency summit scheduled for this week in Cairo, where dialogues with the EU and various nations will focus on securing international support for these efforts.
Suica commented on the EU's commitment to empowering Palestinians and emphasized that she hoped the ceasefire agreement would pave the way for a two-state solution, which should be pursued without preconditions.
Abdelatty expressed urgency regarding the commencement of negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
In the joint press conference, he highlighted three key points: the necessity of maintaining the ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as per the agreement, and the assurance of humanitarian aid delivery to the region.
He noted, "Egypt, Qatar, and the US are playing an active role, and we want to emphasize the importance of implementing (the ceasefire).
We must begin discussions on the second phase."
On the same day, Israel blocked aid trucks from entering Gaza, escalating tensions over the six-week ceasefire and prompting Hamas to seek intervention from Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
In parallel, discussions have emerged regarding a proposed temporary US ceasefire that would last until the end of Ramadan, around March 31, and the Jewish Passover holiday in mid-April.
This proposal requires Hamas to release half of the hostages, both living and deceased, on the first day of the ceasefire, with the remaining hostages set for release by the end of the ceasefire period.
Hamas reiterated its commitment to the original ceasefire aimed at leading to negotiations for a permanent resolution to the conflict.
Abdelatty stated that goodwill and commitment from all involved parties are vital for the success of upcoming discussions concerning a permanent ceasefire.
Addressing the need for a political framework post-ceasefire, Abdelatty called for a process that would ultimately lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He also urged all stakeholders to guarantee the effective delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza while rejecting its use as a form of collective punishment against the Palestinian population.
Abdelatty announced that a reconstruction plan for Gaza would be presented at an upcoming Arab emergency summit scheduled for this week in Cairo, where dialogues with the EU and various nations will focus on securing international support for these efforts.
Suica commented on the EU's commitment to empowering Palestinians and emphasized that she hoped the ceasefire agreement would pave the way for a two-state solution, which should be pursued without preconditions.
