Egypt and Qatar Engage in Talks to Enhance Gaza Ceasefire Stabilization
Egypt and Qatar held discussions in Doha aimed at stabilizing the Gaza ceasefire and negotiating a prisoner exchange. The talks addressed humanitarian aid, outcomes from regional summits, and an Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza estimated to cost $53 billion. The discussions occur amid ongoing violence in Gaza, where significant loss of life has been reported since October 2023.
On Wednesday, Egypt and Qatar convened discussions focused on stabilizing the ceasefire in Gaza and negotiating a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel. The talks, which took place in Doha, featured Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. These discussions occurred following the initiation of negotiations aimed at advancing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The officials engaged in dialogue concerning mutual relations, ensuring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, and facilitating the exchange of hostages and detainees in Gaza. An Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement confirmed their emphasis on enhancing humanitarian aid entry into Gaza to address the urgent needs of the Palestinian people.
The conversations also included a review of resolutions from an extraordinary Arab summit on Gaza in Cairo on March 4, along with a recent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah. Another significant topic was the activation of an Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza, detailing necessary steps to secure funding for the initiative.
This Arab initiative is aimed at rebuilding Gaza without displacing its Palestinian residents and is projected to span five years, with an estimated cost of $53 billion, following the rejection of a controversial plan proposed by former President Donald Trump. Since October 2023, approximately 50,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives in the Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which paused temporarily under the recent ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
Furthermore, the International Criminal Court has issued warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice in relation to the conflict in the enclave.
The recent discussions between Egypt and Qatar mark a significant step towards solidifying the ceasefire in Gaza and enhancing humanitarian efforts. The leaders reaffirmed the urgency of facilitating aid and addressed broader reconstruction plans critical for the area’s recovery. As the region grapples with ongoing violence and humanitarian crises, these diplomatic efforts illustrate the necessity for collaborative international engagement in pursuing stability and peace.
Original Source: news.az
