Egypt and Qatar engaged in talks to stabilize the Gaza ceasefire and negotiate a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel. A review of humanitarian needs, an Arab reconstruction plan, and international legal actions related to the conflict were key focal points of discussion.
On Wednesday, Egypt and Qatar engaged in discussions to strengthen the Gaza ceasefire and facilitate a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty convened in Doha following the initiation of a new negotiation phase concerning the ceasefire agreement.
The talks encompassed bilateral relations and emphasized the necessity to enhance humanitarian aid access to Gaza, addressing the urgent needs of the Palestinian population as indicated by an Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement.
Additionally, the discussions included a review of the outcomes from a recent Arab summit on Gaza held in Cairo, along with a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. The officials also considered implementing an Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza and the requisite funding measures.
This Arab plan, approved during the aforementioned summit and OIC meeting, aims to rebuild Gaza while ensuring that Palestinian residents are not displaced. The projected cost of this initiative stands at approximately $53 billion and it is expected to span five years to completion.
The initiative emerged as a response to US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to reorganize Gaza and resettle Palestinians, which has been widely condemned by the Arab world and others as ethnic cleansing. Since October 2023, approximately 50,000 individuals, largely women and children, have lost their lives due to the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which has now paused under the ceasefire agreed upon in January.
Furthermore, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant due to allegations of war crimes in Gaza. Israel is also facing charges at the International Court of Justice regarding genocide for its actions in the region.
In summary, the talks between Egypt and Qatar focused on stabilizing the Gaza ceasefire, facilitating a prisoner exchange, and addressing humanitarian needs in the enclave. The discussions aimed to implement an Arab reconstruction plan and highlighted the backdrop of significant casualties in Gaza. The political landscape continues to be complicated by international legal actions against Israeli officials regarding alleged war crimes, underscoring the gravity of the conflict and its implications.
Original Source: news.az
