Egypt leads cease-fire negotiations amid ongoing Gaza conflict
Palestinians inspect the massive destruction of Abdullah Azzam Mosque and surrounding buildings, in Nuseirat, central Gaza, Palestine, July 17, 2024. (AA Photo)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced ongoing negotiations for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, with efforts aimed at reaching an agreement as soon as possible.
At a press conference in Beirut, Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s commitment to preventing further escalation and detailed cooperation with Qatar and the U.S. to bridge gaps between Hamas and Israel.
Recent discussions in Doha introduced a proposal to align with US President Joe Biden’s May 31 guidelines, which outline a three-phase plan involving a cease-fire, hostage exchange, and Gaza reconstruction.
Despite these efforts, mediation has faced challenges because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to meet Hamas’ demands.
The international community has condemned Israel’s continued offensive on Gaza, which has led to over 40,000 deaths and 92,000 injuries since Oct.7.
The assault has left large parts of Gaza devastated and under severe blockade.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has accused Israel of genocide and called for an immediate halt to operations in Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded.
