Egypt announced on Tuesday that it is actively working alongside Qatar and the United States to negotiate a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, marking a renewed effort to bring relief to the region amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The initiative comes as part of a broader attempt to de-escalate tensions and provide humanitarian aid to civilians caught in the crossfire.
Since the outbreak of the war triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have been key mediators, striving to broker agreements between the conflicting parties. Their involvement has been instrumental in previous, albeit short-lived, ceasefire efforts.
“We are working very hard now in full cooperation with the Qataris and Americans,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said during a press conference in Cairo. He emphasized that the goal is to return to the original proposal: a 60-day ceasefire accompanied by the release of some hostages and Palestinian detainees, along with unhindered delivery of humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza. “The main objective is to ensure that aid reaches those in need without restrictions, without conditions,” he added.
Abdelatty confirmed that discussions are ongoing with both Hamas and Israeli officials, highlighting that the negotiations are being guided by a recent plan proposed by the United States. “We are pushing for a deal that can bring tangible relief to the people affected by this conflict,” he said.
A Palestinian source familiar with the talks told AFP that mediators are aiming to draft a new, comprehensive ceasefire proposal. This plan could potentially include the simultaneous release of all remaining hostages in Gaza, signaling a significant step toward peace if successfully implemented.
Previous attempts at brokering a truce have faced setbacks. Negotiations held in Doha last month for over two weeks failed to achieve a breakthrough, leading Hamas negotiators to withdraw after the United States and Israel pulled their delegations. US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff attributed the failure to Hamas and indicated that Washington would explore alternative measures to address the ongoing crisis.
Earlier this year, a short-lived truce collapsed, failing to establish a lasting resolution, leaving many civilians in Gaza in urgent need of assistance. Analysts say that sustained international mediation will be crucial for any long-term agreement.
According to two Palestinian sources, a senior Hamas delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo soon to continue discussions with Egyptian officials. The upcoming talks are being closely monitored by international observers, who hope that a renewed ceasefire could prevent further escalation and provide a window of relief for civilians.
