Egypt, Qatar Reaffirm Intensive Efforts to Reach Ceasefire in Gaza
Egypt and Qatar issued a joint statement Sunday reaffirming their commitment to advancing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, based on a proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
'The Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Qatar continue their intensive efforts to bridge gaps and overcome sticking points to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, based on the US proposal,' the statement read.
Both countries, in coordination with the United States, expressed their intention to intensify efforts to resolve obstacles facing the talks. They also called on all parties to act responsibly and support the mediators' efforts to end the crisis and restore stability to the region.
The statement expressed hope for a swift agreement on a 60-day temporary truce, leading to a permanent ceasefire. Such a step would allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, ease the suffering of Palestinians, and pave the way for full reconstruction in line with the emergency Arab summit plan approved in Cairo on March 4, 2025 – per the statement.
Nearly 20 months into the war, negotiations for a ceasefire and a deal to free the captives have failed to produce a breakthrough.
Since the last brief truce collapsed in March, 'Israel' has intensified its aggression on Gaza.
Hamas said on Saturday it had responded positively to the latest US-backed truce proposal, but US envoy Steve Witkoff criticised the response as 'totally unacceptable', an assessment echoed by 'Israel'.
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mardawi said Sunday that the 'amendments we requested are identical… to what had been previously agreed upon with the American mediator'.
Witkoff had urged the group to 'accept the framework proposal we put forward'.
At least 49 Palestinians were killed and over 305 others wounded Sunday morning in a new massacre committed by Israeli occupation forces near an aid distribution center west of Rafah in southern Gaza.
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