Egypt Urges Urgent Negotiations for Gaza Ceasefire’s Second Phase Amid Violence
Egypt calls for urgent negotiations on the Gaza ceasefire’s second phase, citing expected challenges. The Egyptian Foreign Minister condemns Israel’s halt of aid, labeling it collective punishment. A reconstruction plan for Gaza is ready for approval at an upcoming Arab summit, while violence continues in the region, resulting in further casualties among Palestinians.
On Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged for urgent negotiations regarding the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, foreseeing significant challenges ahead. This call comes as tensions escalate following Israel’s suspension of aid to the Gaza Strip and continued shelling, raising concerns over the viability of the ceasefire.
During a joint press conference in Cairo with European Union Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, Abdelatty emphasized the immediate need to commence discussions for the next phase, noting that the first phase, despite difficulties, ended successfully. He expressed optimism that, with political will from all parties involved, it is feasible to reach an agreement for the subsequent stage.
Abdelatty further stressed the importance of a thorough and sincere implementation of the ceasefire agreement by all parties, urging the European Union to apply more pressure on Israel to adhere to its commitments. He condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to halt aid to Gaza, categorizing such acts as unacceptable forms of collective punishment.
Additionally, the Egyptian Foreign Minister announced that a comprehensive Gaza reconstruction plan has been finalized and will be presented at the upcoming emergency Arab summit in Cairo, pending its approval before approaching any foreign parties. Further discussions are also set to take place among ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi Arabia following this summit.
Meanwhile, on the ground in Gaza, recent violence has resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians and injuries to six others due to Israeli fire, increasing the total fatalities since the ceasefire announcement in January to 116. Reports indicate that the casualties occurred due to airstrikes and artillery shelling across various parts of the region, intensifying the humanitarian crisis ever-present in Gaza.
In conclusion, Egypt is calling for immediate negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, while emphasizing the significant challenges that lie ahead. The completion of the reconstruction plan is timely as violence continues to escalate in Gaza. International pressure and commitment to the ceasefire will be crucial in achieving a sustainable resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Original Source: www.palestinechronicle.com
