Egyptian negotiators in Gaza ceasefire talks exert tremendous efforts

CAIRO – 15 August 2024: The Egyptian negotiators in Gaza ceasefire talks are exerting tremendous efforts to reach an agreement, a high-profile source told Al Qahera News.

Egypt has re-urged that reaching a common draft agreement is a must, the source added.

Doha is hosting a summit for security officials from Egypt, Qatar, and the US to mediate in the indirect talks on reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and a prisoner swap deal. This round of negotiations has been seen as “the last chance” to reach a ceasefire agreement to prevent a regional war if Iran retaliated back for the killing of the leader of the Hamas’ political bureau Ismail Haniyeh by Israel in Tehran.

Three Iranian officials told Reuters on August 13 that only a ceasefire agreement could prevent Iran from retaliating against Israel for killing Haniyeh.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty underlined on Wednesday the importance of securing an immediate and full ceasefire in Gaza as well as unrestricted access of humanitarian assistance.

He also underlined the need to positively deal with Egyptian-Qatari-US mediation efforts and seriously engage in ceasefire negotiations as they are the only way to end escalation in the region and contain attempts to expand the cycle of conflict.

Abdelatty made the remarks during a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.