Egypt and Qatar held discussions to stabilize the Gaza ceasefire and explore a prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel. The talks reaffirmed the need for humanitarian aid and reviewed reconstruction plans approved by previous Arab summits. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with significant casualties reported since October 2023, while international investigations into alleged war crimes continue.
On Wednesday, Egypt and Qatar engaged in talks aimed at solidifying the Gaza ceasefire and discussing a potential prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel. The discussions, which took place in Doha, involved Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. These talks occurred shortly after the initiation of a new phase of negotiations regarding the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The dialogue focused on strengthening bilateral relations while emphasizing the importance of stabilizing the ceasefire and facilitating the exchange of hostages and detainees currently held in Gaza. An official statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry highlighted the necessity of increasing humanitarian aid to respond to the urgent needs of the Palestinian population.
In addition to the ceasefire, the officials reviewed the results of an extraordinary Arab summit held on March 4 in Cairo, as well as a recent meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. The discussions also included activating an Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza, which aims to secure funding and execute necessary steps for its implementation.
The comprehensive Arab plan to rebuild Gaza, endorsed during both the Arab summit and the OIC meeting, is structured to take five years to complete at an estimated cost of $53 billion. This proposal emerged in direct contrast to U.S. plans aimed at resettling Palestinians, which were widely condemned as frameworks for ethnic cleansing.
Since October 2023, an estimated 50,000 individuals, primarily women and children, have lost their lives due to the violent conflict in Gaza. The ceasefire and prisoner swap arrangement that began in January has temporarily halted the hostilities. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials over alleged war crimes, with a genocide case also pending at the International Court of Justice.
The recent talks between Egypt and Qatar represent a significant diplomatic effort to stabilize the Gaza ceasefire and improve humanitarian conditions for Palestinians. The focus on a prisoner exchange and the reconstruction plan underlines the commitment of both nations to facilitate aid and promote peace in the region. The ongoing conflict remains a critical concern, with numerous casualties reported since its escalation, and international accountability mechanisms are increasingly being called into question.
Original Source: news.az
