Egyptian official urges Israel to avoid hindering Gaza truce talks, respect agreed principles

CAIRO – 14 July 2024: A high-level Egyptian source has called on Israel to refrain from hindering the ongoing ceasefire talks in Gaza by introducing new principles that contradict the previously agreed-upon terms.

In statements reported by Al-Qahera News, the source emphasized that the Israeli regime seems more focused on time-consuming meetings as a PR exercise, rather than reaching a substantive agreement to prevent the collapse of the coalition government.

The source further stressed that Israel's persistent pursuit of policies leading to further escalation carries grave consequences for the entire region.

Additionally, Egypt has alerted relevant parties to the dangers of Israeli escalation in Gaza and the targeting of civilians, the source added.

Deadly Mawasi attack

These warnings coincide with a deadly Israeli air attack on the Al-Mawasi refugee camp in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday.

The attack resulted in the death of 90 individuals, half of whom were women and children, and left 300 others wounded, including severe injuries, according to the Gaza health ministry.

 

While the Israeli army claims the attack was aimed at targeting senior Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, Hamas denies these claims, asserting that it is a cover-up for a horrific massacre.

Egypt has strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing that it led to the deaths and injuries of numerous innocent Palestinian civilians.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Israel to "cease its disregard for the lives of innocent civilians and uphold the necessary humanitarian standards in compliance with international law and international humanitarian law."

Egypt reiterated that these ongoing violations against Palestinian civilians only complicate efforts to achieve a ceasefire and exacerbate the humanitarian suffering of Palestinians, amid a concerning international silence and impotence.

Negotiations obstructed

The attack comes at a time when top Egyptian, US, and Qatari negotiators have been actively mediating between Hamas and Israel to end the war that has been ongoing since October 7.

While Hamas has shown readiness to compromise its longstanding demand for a permanent ceasefire as a precondition for any deal, Israel has affirmed that it will not cease hostilities until all its war objectives are achieved.

In a press conference on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the goals of eliminating the military and governing capabilities of Hamas, securing the release of all captives taken by Hamas on October 7.

He added that the war will not stop until Israel ensures that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel while safely returning the settlers of the south and the north to their communities.

"Many of you are asking: 'Then when will this war end?' and my answer is clear and unequivocal: 'It will end only when we achieve all of its goals, and not a moment before,'" Netanyahu said.

Over the past nine months, the Israeli war in Gaza has killed more than 38,400 people and injured more than 88,400 others.

Additionally, Gaza lost most of its infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and other vital facilities, and is currently facing a looming famine.