Summary
- Egypt collaborates with Qatar, US for Gaza ceasefire.
- The proposed 60-day truce aims to end the Israel-Hamas war.
- Includes hostage releases and Palestinian detainee exchanges.
- Humanitarian medical aid allowed unrestricted Gaza entry.
- Talks involve Hamas, Israel, and US mediation efforts.
Since the ongoing war was sparked by the Palestinian militant group's strike on October 7, 2023, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have been instrumental in mediating negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
"We are working very hard now in full cooperation with the Qataris and Americans,"
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told reporters during a press conference in Cairo.
"The main objective is to go back to the original proposal -- to have a ceasefire for 60 days, with the release of some hostages and some Palestinian detainees, and the flow of humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza without restrictions, without conditions."
"We are talking with Hamas, with the Israelis and pushing for a deal"
based on a recent US plan, Abdelatty said.
"Mediators are working to formulate a new comprehensive ceasefire agreement proposal" that would include the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza "in one batch," a Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations told AFP earlier.
Days after Israel and the United States withdrew their own delegations, Hamas negotiators finally left.
After no agreement was achieved, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Washington will "consider alternative options" and blamed Hamas for the failure.
Earlier this year, a brief truce broke down and failed to result in a long-term accord.
According to two Palestinian sources who spoke to AFP on Tuesday, a high-level Hamas team was anticipated in Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials.
What are the main challenges Egypt faces in mediating the Gaza ceasefire negotiations?
Egypt is obligated to maintain its peace treaty with Israel while managing the destabilizing effects of the Gaza war near its border. Israeli military actions in Rafah and border tensions risk violating the treaty, putting Cairo in a delicate position to avoid direct confrontation with Israel and regional escalations involving groups like Hezbollah.
Key sticking points in negotiations remain unresolved, such as Israel's insistence on controlling the Philadelphi Corridor border area, and mutual accusations of bad faith. Hamas accuses Israel of reneging on previous agreements, while Israel refuses major concessions, creating a deadlock that Egypt struggles to bridge.
Egypt is suffering economic struggles due to regional unrest, including a sharp decline in Suez Canal revenues and impacts on tourism from ongoing conflicts.