Israeli FM Ashkenazi praises Cairo efforts to reach ceasefire in Gaza

CAIRO -21 May 2021: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received a phone call, Friday from his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi who praised Cairo’s efforts to reach a ceasefire with the Palestinian side.

Ashkenazi affirmed the Israeli side’s keenness to maintain calm.

Both ministers also discussed measures to facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza during the coming period.

Shoukry and Ashkenazi stressed the importance of coordination between the two countries, the Palestinian Authority and other international partners, whether with regard to securing the stability of the situation or resuming communication efforts in order to reach and preserve peace.

Cairo succeeded, Thursday to secure ceasefire in Gaza. The mutually-agreed suspension of fire came into force at 2 a.m. Palestine local time on May 21.

As per Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives, two security delegations arrived in Palestinian and Israeli territories to consolidate the ceasefire in Gaza.

The Egyptian security delegations called on the two sides to adhere to the Cairo-brokered ceasefire in Gaza.

The Palestinian factions expressed gratitude to Egypt for its efforts to reach the ceasefire and told the Egyptian security delegation that it would abide by the truce commitments.

The Palestinian factions expressed to the delegation their appreciation of Egypt’s move to open the Rafah crossing to receive the injured Palestinians and send humanitarian aid.

The Palestinian and Israeli sides called on Egypt to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire, saying they adhere to the Egyptian de-escalation efforts.

Regional and international parties welcomed the ceasefire that was reached as a result of the Egyptian efforts exerted during the past period.

US President joe Biden on Thursday thanked Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and hailed the efforts exerted by the Egyptian senior politicians to reach a ceasefire in Gaza in remarks from the White House.

“I extend my sincere gratitude to president El-Sisi and the senior Egyptian officials who played such a critical role in this diplomacy”, Biden said.