Shoukry to meet Macron, Arab FMs in Paris for talks on Gaza ceasefire efforts

CAIRO – 24 May 2024: Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry traveled to Paris on Friday to engage in discussions with several Arab counterparts and French President Emmanuel Macron regarding efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

The foreign ministers of Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have been invited by Macron for the ministerial meeting.

Shoukry's visit to Paris reflects France's commitment to coordinating with Arab ministers to advance ceasefire efforts in Gaza, stated Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid.

Abu Zeid emphasized France's dedication to discussing means of ending the humanitarian crisis and providing adequate aid to the people of Gaza.

He also highlighted that the ministerial meeting aims to discuss international and regional initiatives aimed at finding a genuine political solution to address the root causes of the crisis and support the implementation of a two-state solution.

Reviving ceasefire chance

In recent months, Egypt and Qatar along with the United States have been mediating negotiations between Hamas and Israel in an attempt to bring an end to the Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Since October 7, the Israeli war has killed over 35,000 Palestinian lives and injured more than 79,000 others.

Efforts to reach a truce in Gaza have stalled in recent weeks amid Israel's military operations in the southern city of Rafah, which have been met with global condemnation.

Israel plans to expand its military operation against Hamas in Rafah, saying one million civilians have moved out of the southern Gaza city. https://t.co/sVW4CAJdOh

— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) May 24, 2024

However, the United States is leading an effort to revive the talks.

According to media reports, CIA Director William Burns is planning to visit Europe soon to hold discussions with the Director of the Israeli Mossad, David Barnea, and Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Burns' meetings aim to revive talks and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as facilitate the release of around 100 Israelis who were taken hostage by Hamas on October 7.

Meanwhile, Israel has shown a significant shift in position regarding the talks after weeks of avoidance.

Axios reports that Israeli negotiators have recently developed a new ceasefire proposal, which includes substantial compromises in Israel's stance.

The new Israeli proposal involves further negotiations on the number of captives to be released by Hamas and addresses Hamas' demand for "sustainable calm."

The major point of contention between Hamas and Israel in recent months has been Hamas' desire for a deal that ensures an end to the war and the return of displaced individuals to their homes in northern Gaza without restrictions.

While Israel has shown willingness to meet the second demand, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not accept a deal with Hamas that ends the war before dismantling the military capabilities of the group.

Withdrawal warning

This week, Egypt issued a warning to withdraw from its mediation role between Israel and Hamas following a report by CNN accusing Egyptian negotiators of presenting different ceasefire proposals to each side.

Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), stated that attempts to question Egypt's mediation role could lead to its withdrawal from the current mediation process.

Rashwan emphasized that casting doubt or insulting Egypt's role will only serve to further complicate the situation in the Gaza Strip and the entire region.

The war in Gaza has resulted in one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with the majority of the population displaced, infrastructure damaged, and the strip on the verge of famine.