Egypt and Qatar conducted discussions in Doha to stabilize the Gaza ceasefire and facilitate a prisoner exchange agreement. The talks involved key officials and encompassed enhancing humanitarian aid, assessing past summits on Gaza, and planning reconstruction efforts with substantial financial implications. The ongoing conflict has resulted in severe casualties, sparking international legal inquiries against Israeli leadership for alleged war crimes.
On Wednesday, Egypt and Qatar engaged in discussions aimed at stabilizing the Gaza ceasefire and facilitating a prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel. The dialogue occurred in Doha, involving Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, just following the commencement of new negotiations related to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated that the talks focused on enhancing bilateral relations and securing the implementation of the ceasefire, in addition to addressing the exchange of hostages and detainees in Gaza. Both parties emphasized the critical need to expedite humanitarian aid delivery to meet the urgent needs of Palestinians.
Furthermore, discussions included a review of the outcomes from an exceptional Arab summit held in Cairo on March 4, as well as a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah held last week. The officials also deliberated on an Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction, including the necessary funding to execute it.
The comprehensive Arab reconstruction plan seeks to rehabilitate Gaza without displacing its Palestinian inhabitants and is projected to be executed over five years at an expense of approximately $53 billion. This proposal was introduced following the rejection of a controversial plan by former US President Donald Trump, which was perceived as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
Since October 2023, the ongoing Israeli conflict has resulted in around 50,000 casualties, predominantly women and children. Following the initiation of the ceasefire in January, a prisoner exchange agreement was established, temporarily halting the conflict. Moreover, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials over alleged war crimes related to the events in Gaza.
The talks between Egypt and Qatar underscore their commitment to stabilizing the Gaza ceasefire and addressing the complex humanitarian crisis in the region. The discussions also reflect a broader regional effort to engage in reconstruction planning and to reject proposals perceived as harmful to the Palestinian population. With ongoing concerns over human rights and international justice, these diplomatic efforts remain critical in the context of recent conflicts.
Original Source: news.az
