Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stressed the utmost importance of ongoing efforts, in coordination with the United States, to achieve an immediate ceasefire, while Hamas announced its approval of a new proposal put forward by mediators.
اضافة اعلان
During their meeting on Monday, El-Sisi and Al Thani underlined the urgent need to allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza without obstacles, along with the release of captives. They strongly rejected any reoccupation of the Strip or displacement of Palestinians, stressing that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international legitimacy, remains the only path to peace and stability in the region.
Cairo, Doha, and Washington are mediating between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. The latest round of indirect negotiations, held in Doha under the auspices of mediators, lasted for weeks before ending on July 25 without results.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced on Monday that Palestinian and Qatari delegations are in Cairo to discuss efforts to end the Israeli war on Gaza.
Speaking at a joint press conference at the Rafah border crossing with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa—who attended for the first time at the crossing—Abdelatty said the Israeli occupation authorities are imposing restrictions on the operation of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. He stressed Egypt’s readiness to flood Gaza with aid once Israeli obstacles are removed.
On ceasefire efforts, he confirmed that Palestinian and Qatari delegations are in Egypt to discuss the matter, without giving details about their members.
Addressing Gazans, Abdelatty said: “We stand with you in your steadfastness on your land. Our position on the Palestinian cause is firm and unchanging, and we reject all policies aimed at liquidating it.”
He added: “Palestine is enduring a great humanitarian tragedy, and we reject the so-called ‘Greater Israel’ rhetoric, as it is an illusion that will never be implemented. We speak instead of coexistence and comprehensive peace.”
Abdelatty further stated: “We are, of course, ready to contribute to any international joint force deployed in Gaza under defined parameters.” He explained that these parameters must include, first, a clear UN Security Council mandate and, naturally, a political horizon. “Without a political horizon, deploying forces there would make no sense,” he said, stressing that a defined framework would enable such a force to operate effectively and support Palestinians in achieving their independent state.
Earlier this month, Israel approved plans to occupy Gaza City, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed: “Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, but to establish a civilian administration in the Strip that is not linked to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.”
Since March 2, Israel has closed all crossings into Gaza, blocking the entry of humanitarian aid, pushing the Strip into famine despite relief trucks stranded at its borders, while allowing only minimal supplies far short of Palestinian needs.
On August 12, Netanyahu told Israel’s i24 News channel that he remains strongly committed to the “Greater Israel” vision, which—according to Israeli claims—extends from the Euphrates to the Nile, encompassing occupied Palestinian territories and parts of Arab countries. The statement sparked widespread condemnation.
New Proposal
Meanwhile, Hamas confirmed it has submitted its response approving a proposal put forward by Qatar and Egypt, with sources saying Israel has received the response.
A source familiar with the talks told Al Jazeera that the proposal represents the best available option to protect Gaza’s population from a looming Israeli military escalation, which the government has approved and is preparing to implement—an escalation that would cause further civilian casualties and worsen humanitarian and prisoner conditions.
The proposal reportedly includes a path toward a comprehensive agreement to end the war, starting with a temporary 60-day halt to military operations. During this period, Israeli forces would redeploy, allowing large-scale humanitarian aid deliveries to meet basic needs.
The deal would also include the exchange of a number of Palestinian prisoners for half the number of Israeli captives held in Gaza.
The source described this as the beginning of a path toward a comprehensive solution.
Separately, an Islamic Jihad source said the initiative involves a partial ceasefire and a gradual prisoner exchange, noting that Palestinian factions are engaging positively with the proposal to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu commented: “I am following the news, and my impression is that Hamas is under tremendous pressure,” while Defense Minister Israel Katz said Hamas had become willing to engage after realizing Israel’s intent to seize control of Gaza.
For his part, U.S. President Donald Trump declared: “We will not see the return of the remaining hostages unless Hamas is confronted and destroyed,” stressing that the sooner this happens, the greater the chances of success.
Israel, with U.S. support, has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, through killings, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement—ignoring international appeals and defying International Court of Justice orders to halt.
The genocide has left 62,004 Palestinians martyred, 156,230 injured—mostly children and women—over 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and famine claiming 258 lives, including 110 children.
--(Agencies)
