Egypt, Qatar intensify efforts to broker Gaza ceasefire based on US proposal - Foreign Affairs
Egypt and Qatar continue to intensify their efforts to bridge differences and resolve outstanding issues in pursuit of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, Cairo and Doha said in a joint statement on Sunday.
In their joint statement, Egypt and Qatar said these efforts are based on US envoy Steve Witkoff's proposal. They aim to pave the way for resuming indirect negotiations.
Egypt and Qatar, in coordination with the US, have reaffirmed their commitment to step up diplomatic efforts to overcome the obstacles facing the negotiation process.
The two nations have called on all parties to act responsibly and to support the mediators in their efforts to end the crisis in Gaza and ultimately restore regional peace and stability.
Furthermore, Egypt and Qatar hoped that mediation efforts would eventually lead to an agreement on a proposed 60-day temporary truce soon. They described the agreement as a stepping stone toward a permanent ceasefire.
'This would allow for an end to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Strip, the opening of crossings, and the entry of humanitarian and relief aid to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza,' the statement read.
Moreover, the two countries stressed that the ceasefire should constitute the foundation for a comprehensive end to the war. It should also signal the beginning of reconstruction efforts in Gaza, in line with the plan the Cairo Arab summit endorsed on 4 March 2025.
Witkoff's proposal offers a 60-day ceasefire with the staged release of 10 Israeli captives (four on day one, two on day 30, and four on day 60) and a phased return of Israeli bodies. However, the proposal does not guarantee extending the ceasefire beyond 60 days.
On Saturday, Hamas presented its response to US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's latest ceasefire proposal.
Hamas's proposal includes, among other things, releasing 10 Israeli living captives and 18 bodies in exchange for an 'agreed-upon' but unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas announced earlier that it accepted a general framework proposed by Witkoff.
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
37 minutes ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Israel opens fire again near Gaza aid point killing at least 15 Palestinians - War on Gaza
The Israeli occupation army killed at least 15 people on Tuesday in southern Gaza near a US-backed aid centre, rescuers said. The shooting was similar to one Sunday morning in which scores of people were killed and wounded at the same location, with witnesses saying they had been on their way to collect aid. "At least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded... when Israeli forces opened fire with tanks and drones on thousands of civilians who had gathered since dawn near the Al-Alam roundabout in the Al-Mawasi area, northwest of Rafah," said civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal. The roundabout is about a kilometre from an aid centre run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a recently formed group that Israel has cooperated with to implement a new aid distribution mechanism in the territory, aimed at bypassing UN agencies that have long coordinated humanitarian relief in Gaza. Rania al-Astal, 30, said she had gone with her husband to try to get food. "The shooting began intermittently around 5:00 am. Every time people approached Al-Alam roundabout, they were fired upon," she told AFP. "But people didn't care and rushed forward all at once -- that's when the army began firing heavily." 'Unacceptable' Mohammed al-Shaer, 44, who was also at the scene, said the crowd had just set off towards the aid centre when "suddenly, the Israeli army fired shots into the air, then began shooting directly at the people". "A helicopter and quadcopters (drones) started firing at the crowd to prevent them from approaching the tank barrier. There were injuries and deaths," he told AFP. "I didn't reach the centre, and we didn't get any food." Sunday's shooting also took place at the Al-Alam roundabout as people gathered before heading to the aid centre, rescuers and witnesses said, with the civil defence reporting 31 people killed and 176 wounded. Afterwards, the army denied firing at people "while they were near or within" the aid site. But a military source acknowledged "warning shots were fired towards several suspects" about a kilometre away. UN chief Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation into that shooting, calling it "unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food". Soldiers killed Israel has come under mounting pressure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where people are facing severe shortages of food and other essentials after Israel imposed a more than two-month blockade on all supplies. The blockade was recently eased, but the aid community has urged Israeli to allow in more food, faster. The US-backed GHF has recently opened four aid distribution centres in southern and central Gaza, and says it has distributed more than seven million meals' worth of food. However, the United Nations and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with it, saying it contravenes humanitarian principles and appears designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. Israel has, in March, stepped up its genocidal war on Gaza, breaking the short truce. The Israeli occupation army said Tuesday that three of its soldiers had been killed in the territory's north, bringing the number of Israeli troops killed in the Palestinian territory since the start of the war to 424. Israeli soldiers have killed at least 4,201 people in Gaza since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,470, mostly women and children. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
2 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Ukraine, Russia Agree on Major Prisoner Exchange During Peace Talks in Istanbul
Ahmed Emam Russia and Ukraine agreed Monday to a significant humanitarian gesture during peace talks held in Istanbul, marking a rare moment of consensus amid the ongoing conflict. The two sides committed to exchanging all severely wounded prisoners of war and detainees under the age of 25. Additionally, both countries agreed to repatriate the bodies of 6,000 soldiers killed in combat. The announcement came during the second round of direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, hosted by Turkey in a fresh bid to bring an end to the protracted war. The high-stakes meeting took place at Istanbul's historic Çırağan Palace and was chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. According to Turkish state news agency reports, Fidan opened the trilateral meeting by emphasizing the importance of dialogue and mutual compromise. "This platform offers a critical opportunity to reduce tensions and bring both sides closer to peace," he said. Delegates from Ukraine and Russia were seated at separate tables, with Turkish officials, including Fidan, occupying a central table, symbolizing Turkey's role as a mediator. Reuters reported that both delegations were expected to present their proposals and demands related to a potential peace agreement. While broader political differences remain unresolved, the prisoner and body exchange agreement was welcomed internationally as a vital confidence-building measure. Analysts see the Istanbul talks as one of the most substantial diplomatic efforts in months to break the deadlock between the two warring nations. Turkey, a NATO member with close ties to both Russia and Ukraine, has positioned itself as a neutral facilitator in the conflict. Ankara has hosted several rounds of negotiations since the war began, though few have yielded concrete outcomes. The continuation of the talks is expected over the coming days, with observers cautiously hopeful that the Istanbul round could mark the beginning of a more sustained peace process. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
See - Sada Elbalad
3 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Greater Cairo feels strong earthquake that hit Eastern Mediterranean
Basant Ahmed The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported that a powerful earthquake struck the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and was felt in nine countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, according to a breaking news report on Cairo News Channel. The earthquake, which was felt in Greater Cairo and several governorates, occurred at 2:22 a.m. Tuesday. Its epicenter was in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, 26 kilometers from the Greek island of Rhodes, and its magnitude reached 6.6 on the Richter scale. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
