Egypt will continue to promote ceasefire proposals hoping for agreement, Shoukry

CAIRO – 29 April 2024: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Egypt will continue to promote proposals that might receive agreement of the two [Israeli and Palestinian] sides with the cooperation of US and Qatari sides.

During an interview to CNBC on Sunday at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Shoukry said that the current on-going negotiations are ‘sensitive’ and ‘been underway for some time’

He said he won’t get into details but rather to highlight “the importance to ending the currant military conflict in Gaza, scale of devastation of human loss, an reaching an immediate ceasefire so we can avoid casualties, displacement and elevate the aid into Gaza”

Shoukry also noted that “for the negotiations to be successful it needs political will from both sides, moderation and recognition” and that “for the best of the region this conflict must be terminated.”

On details regarding the exact deal on the table for negotiations, Shoukry said that “media reports have been circulating several expectations regarding the number of hostages, positioning of Israeli troops, the duration of the ceasefire and the returning of civilians.” Adding that he “won't get into the specifics of the issues but rather stay hopeful regarding the flexibility and political will of both sides.”

He also stressed that Egypt is “in constant deliberations with all sides and will continue to do so.”

A high-level source said, Monday that extensive discussions are being held between the Egyptian security delegation and Hamas delegation in Cairo, Monday.

 According to the source, Hamas delegation, which is currently in Cairo, is holding meetings with Egyptian General Intelligence officials.

The source said that intense Egyptian efforts are being made to direct viewpoints to reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

The source previously confirmed that the negotiation meetings between Hamas and Israel, sponsored by Egypt, and in the presence of a Qatari-American officials, are still continuing.

Egypt is hosting a new round of indirect talks between Hamas movement and Israel regarding reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and increase the humanitarian aid that should enter the besieged enclave.

According to Al Qahera News, the Egyptian proposal entails the release of 20-40 captives currently held by Hamas in Gaza, in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners serving lengthy sentences or who are elderly.