Egypt’s diplomatic efforts seek long-term truce, end of crisis, 2-state solution

CAIRO - 7 February 2024: Egypt received on Tuesday a response from Hamas to the proposed ‘ceasefire and prisoners swap’ deal, and announced the continuation of its efforts to reach a truce agreement in Gaza as soon as possible. 

Diaa Rashwan, head of the State Information Service, stated that this comes as a continuation of the tireless efforts that Egypt made to calm the situation in Gaza Strip and stop the Israeli aggression.

 

 

Egypt’s efforts 

 

Rashwan highlighted the efforts exerted by the Egyptian state towards the situation in Gaza, which resulted in the first truce that lasted for a week, and he also mentioned the proposed framework for a truce agreement that was reached during the Paris meeting. Cairo received Tuesday a response from Hamas movement regarding this proposed framework to cease fire.

 

He stressed that Egypt will discuss all the details of the proposed framework with the concerned parties, and this will include intensified meetings with the parties, to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

 

The head of the State Information Service stated that Egypt had recently put forward a framework for a proposal to try to bring closer the viewpoints of all concerned parties, in an effort to stop Palestinian bloodshed, reach a ceasefire in Gaza Strip, and restore peace and stability in the region. Rashan went on explaining that accordingly, Palestinian prisoners and Israeli detainees would be exchanged on a regular basis, and humanitarian support will be intensified for our brothers in the strip.

 

Rashwan further stressed that Egypt will continue its intense efforts around the clock, in order to end the fight in Gaza, save the lives of the Palestinian people and maintain their legitimate rights, to which the agreement on the proposed framework will be a necessary introduction. 

 

Egypt will successively announce any updates and developments to the negotiation efforts with the concerned parties.   

 

 

Hamas’s proposal

 

In statements to Al-Qahera news TV channel, Rashwan said that the proposed deal is a ‘complex proposal that ultimately leads to a complete ceasefire, not during one stage, but rather three stages that end with a ceasefire and include the exchange of prisoners between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.’

 

Rashwan described Hamas response so far as ‘positive’. “We are talking about a long-term ceasefire, not lasting for one week-ceasefire like the previous one”.

 

He affirmed that Egypt is continuing its role after receiving Hamas response. “Egypt is communicating with all concerned parties, especially Israel and Hamas, to solve any obstacles that might hinder the deal.”

 

Rashwan added that: “Egypt is using all its relations and capabilities with all parties to overcome any obstacles, and I think we are very close to implementing the proposed deal.”

 

On the Israeli response, Rashwan said that “It is difficult yet to describe the final Israeli reaction to the proposed deal, and we are still waiting for the official response.”

 

 

Blinken’s visit

 

Rashwan further made several statements emphasizing commenting on Blinken’s visit, and on Egypt’s role in solving the crisis in Gaza, as he said:

 

- It is emphasized that the discussions between President Sisi and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken come within the framework of the persistent Egyptian diplomatic consultations and efforts to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza, and reach understandings that lead to a long-term truce, especially as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.

 

- It is emphasized that Blinken's visit to Cairo confirms Egypt's pivotal role in reaching a political formula that stops military operations and allows humanitarian aid to enter Gaza in order to avoid a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation; it also lays a solid foundation for the continuation of a negotiating process that leads to the recognition of the Palestinian state.

 

- Egypt's has diplomatic efforts with all parties involved, especially the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

 

- The British stance recently announced by the British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, in which he affirmed that UK could recognize a Palestinian state before a deal with Israel, shows the Palestinians that there is irreversible progress towards a two-state solution, and that this may happen early, and in the United Nations, which enhances the chances of reaching a final settlement.

 

- It is emphasized that this British approach goes in harmony with the Egyptian calls that have been launched since the beginning of the crisis, stressing that a clear political horizon based on the two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict and resolve the crisis.

 

- It is emphasized that Egypt's intense efforts have contributed to the world's awareness of the depth of the Palestinian crisis, especially on the humanitarian aspect, after the number of martyrs reached more than 27 thousand, in addition to the displacement of Palestinians amid an extremely poor health situation.

 

- It is emphasized that Egypt's full forceful involvement pushes all world powers to change their positions, especially with regard to the necessity of recognizing the Palestinian state and the inevitability of the necessary speed in making this decision, so that the Palestinians are convinced that there is a political horizon for resolving the issue and defusing violence in the region.

 

 

Egypt’s diplomatic efforts seek long-term truce, end of crisis, 2-state solution: SIS head  

 

 By et staff 

 

Egypt received on Tuesday a response from Hamas to the proposed ‘ceasefire and prisoners swap’ deal, and announced the continuation of its efforts to reach a truce agreement in Gaza as soon as possible. 

 

Diaa Rashwan, head of the State Information Service, stated that this comes as a continuation of the tireless efforts that Egypt made to calm the situation in Gaza Strip and stop the Israeli aggression.

 

 

Egypt’s efforts 

 

Rashwan highlighted the efforts exerted by the Egyptian state towards the situation in Gaza, which resulted in the first truce that lasted for a week, and he also mentioned the proposed framework for a truce agreement that was reached during the Paris meeting. Cairo received Tuesday a response from Hamas movement regarding this proposed framework to cease fire.

 

He stressed that Egypt will discuss all the details of the proposed framework with the concerned parties, and this will include intensified meetings with the parties, to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

 

The head of the State Information Service stated that Egypt had recently put forward a framework for a proposal to try to bring closer the viewpoints of all concerned parties, in an effort to stop Palestinian bloodshed, reach a ceasefire in Gaza Strip, and restore peace and stability in the region. Rashan went on explaining that accordingly, Palestinian prisoners and Israeli detainees would be exchanged on a regular basis, and humanitarian support will be intensified for our brothers in the strip.

 

Rashwan further stressed that Egypt will continue its intense efforts around the clock, in order to end the fight in Gaza, save the lives of the Palestinian people and maintain their legitimate rights, to which the agreement on the proposed framework will be a necessary introduction. 

 

Egypt will successively announce any updates and developments to the negotiation efforts with the concerned parties.   

 

 

Hamas’s proposal

 

In statements to Al-Qahera news TV channel, Rashwan said that the proposed deal is a ‘complex proposal that ultimately leads to a complete ceasefire, not during one stage, but rather three stages that end with a ceasefire and include the exchange of prisoners between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.’

 

Rashwan described Hamas response so far as ‘positive’. “We are talking about a long-term ceasefire, not lasting for one week-ceasefire like the previous one”.

 

He affirmed that Egypt is continuing its role after receiving Hamas response. “Egypt is communicating with all concerned parties, especially Israel and Hamas, to solve any obstacles that might hinder the deal.”

 

Rashwan added that: “Egypt is using all its relations and capabilities with all parties to overcome any obstacles, and I think we are very close to implementing the proposed deal.”

 

On the Israeli response, Rashwan said that “It is difficult yet to describe the final Israeli reaction to the proposed deal, and we are still waiting for the official response.”

 

 

Blinken’s visit

 

 

Rashwan further made several statements emphasizing commenting on Blinken’s visit, and on Egypt’s role in solving the crisis in Gaza, as he said:

 

• It is emphasized that the discussions between President Sisi and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken come within the framework of the persistent Egyptian diplomatic consultations and efforts to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza, and reach understandings that lead to a long-term truce, especially as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.

 

• It is emphasized that Blinken's visit to Cairo confirms Egypt's pivotal role in reaching a political formula that stops military operations and allows humanitarian aid to enter Gaza in order to avoid a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation; it also lays a solid foundation for the continuation of a negotiating process that leads to the recognition of the Palestinian state.

 

• Egypt's has diplomatic efforts with all parties involved, especially the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

 

• The British stance recently announced by the British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, in which he affirmed that UK could recognize a Palestinian state before a deal with Israel, shows the Palestinians that there is irreversible progress towards a two-state solution, and that this may happen early, and in the United Nations, which enhances the chances of reaching a final settlement.

 

• It is emphasized that this British approach goes in harmony with the Egyptian calls that have been launched since the beginning of the crisis, stressing that a clear political horizon based on the two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict and resolve the crisis.

 

• It is emphasized that Egypt's intense efforts have contributed to the world's awareness of the depth of the Palestinian crisis, especially on the humanitarian aspect, after the number of martyrs reached more than 27 thousand, in addition to the displacement of Palestinians amid an extremely poor health situation.

 

• It is emphasized that Egypt's full forceful involvement pushes all world powers to change their positions, especially with regard to the necessity of recognizing the Palestinian state and the inevitability of the necessary speed in making this decision, so that the Palestinians are convinced that there is a political horizon for resolving the issue and defusing violence in the region.