Egypt and Qatar are engaging in talks to strengthen the Gaza ceasefire and discuss a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel. The discussions, involving high-level officials, stress humanitarian aid and outline a reconstruction plan for Gaza amid ongoing regional concerns about violence and war crimes.
On Wednesday, officials from Egypt and Qatar convened to explore strategies to reinforce the ceasefire in Gaza and advance a prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel. These discussions were led by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, taking place in Doha soon after the initiation of new negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, as reported by foreign media.
The dialogue focused on enhancing bilateral relations, securing the ceasefire, and facilitating the exchange of hostages in Gaza, according to an announcement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. Both nations emphasized the importance of increasing humanitarian aid to address the urgent needs of the Palestinian populace.
The officials also reviewed the outcomes of an extraordinary Arab summit in Cairo and a recent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) regarding Gaza. Discussions included the implementation of a comprehensive Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza, aiming to secure funding and restore the region without displacing its Palestinian residents.
The Arab reconstruction plan, approved at the summits, is projected to span five years at an estimated cost of $53 billion, developed in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to repopulate Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in approximately 50,000 fatalities, predominantly among women and children, since the onset of hostilities in October 2023. The currently established ceasefire and a parallel hostage exchange agreement were initiated in January.
Additionally, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes in Gaza, and Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice concerning its actions against the enclave.
In summary, the discussions held between Egypt and Qatar focus on stabilizing the Gaza ceasefire and facilitating a prisoner exchange agreement. The meeting emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza while underscoring the regional repercussions of the ongoing conflict. Furthermore, the international community remains attentive to allegations of war crimes associated with the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Original Source: news.az
