Egypt Urges Immediate Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged Israel and Hamas to enact a ceasefire deal “without any delay,” following international mediation efforts. Talks are set to continue in Cairo, with Egypt emphasizing the need for humanitarian aid and the empowerment of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. The ceasefire plan, pending Israeli approval, could begin Sunday.
Egypt Pushes for Immediate Gaza Ceasefire: Quick Looks
- Ceasefire Urged: Egypt calls for rapid implementation of a Gaza ceasefire deal.
- Mediation Role: U.S., Qatar, and Egypt collaborated to broker the agreement.
- Postwar Governance: Egypt supports the Palestinian Authority’s return to Gaza leadership.
- Rafah Crossing: Talks focus on reopening Gaza’s key border for humanitarian aid.
- Humanitarian Needs: Egypt plans to facilitate 600 aid trucks daily through Rafah.
- Economic Impact: War has cost Egypt $600M monthly in Suez Canal revenue losses.
Egypt Urges Immediate Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas
Deep Look
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty issued a strong call on Thursday for Israel and Hamas to implement a Gaza ceasefire deal immediately, emphasizing the urgency of ending a 15-month conflict that has devastated the region. The appeal comes as international mediators work to finalize the agreement.
Ceasefire Negotiations
Abdelatty confirmed in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press that U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian officials were instrumental in brokering the ceasefire, which could start as early as Sunday if approved by Israel’s Cabinet. Talks will continue in Cairo, where mediators plan to oversee implementation through a dedicated operations room.
“What we are doing now is to push for final approval and implementation, without any delay,” Abdelatty said from Egypt’s New Administrative Capital.
Rafah Crossing and Humanitarian Aid
A key component of the ceasefire is the reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing, a critical lifeline for the territory. Abdelatty highlighted plans to allow 600 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza daily, addressing the dire needs of millions of displaced residents.
“People are starving on the ground,” he said, calling for swift logistical arrangements to make the aid flow possible. Egypt also expressed willingness to collaborate with the European Union, which previously managed the crossing in partnership with Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Postwar Governance
Looking beyond the immediate ceasefire, Abdelatty stressed that the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority must reclaim governance in Gaza.
“We have to empower the Palestinian Authority to provide security and stability,” he stated, rejecting any role for Hamas in postwar administration.
This stance aligns with the outgoing Biden administration’s vision but faces resistance from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition, who oppose a revitalized Palestinian Authority.
Economic and Regional Impacts
The conflict has strained Egypt’s economy, with disruptions to Suez Canal shipping costing $600 million monthly. Egypt has also absorbed tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees, adding pressure to its limited resources.
“We are not a rich country,” Abdelatty acknowledged, urging global cooperation to alleviate regional burdens.
Looking Forward
With talks ongoing and a potential ceasefire imminent, Egypt’s role as a mediator and logistical hub remains critical. As international pressure builds, the success of the ceasefire depends on swift implementation and long-term collaboration to rebuild and stabilize Gaza.
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