Egypt and Qatar discussed measures to stabilize the Gaza ceasefire and a potential prisoner exchange during talks led by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. They highlighted the need for humanitarian aid and reviewed reconstruction plans costing $53 billion. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, prompting international legal actions against Israeli leaders.
On Wednesday, Egypt and Qatar engaged in talks aimed at ensuring the stability of the Gaza ceasefire and facilitating a prisoner exchange agreement involving Hamas and Israel. These discussions took place in Doha, the capital of Qatar, between Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, following recent negotiations set forth to implement the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
During their meeting, both dignitaries addressed bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, responding effectively to the Palestinians’ urgent humanitarian needs, as articulated in an Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement. They also reviewed outcomes from an extraordinary Arab summit held recently in Cairo and a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that took place in Jeddah.
The talks included discussions on the activation of an Arab plan focused on the reconstruction of Gaza, alongside efforts to secure the necessary funding for this initiative. The comprehensive Arab plan aims to rebuild Gaza over five years at an estimated cost of approximately $53 billion without displacing its Palestinian residents. This initiative emerged as a response to a controversial proposal from former US President Donald Trump, which was widely rejected as ethnic cleansing.
Since October 2023, around 50,000 lives have been lost due to the Israeli offensive on Gaza, predominantly affecting women and children. The ongoing violence was paused following the establishment of a ceasefire and an agreement on the exchange of prisoners in January. Furthermore, international legal proceedings have been initiated against Israeli officials for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity involving operations in Gaza, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The recent discussions between Egypt and Qatar underscore their commitment to stabilizing the ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating humanitarian aid. Both nations aim to implement a comprehensive reconstruction plan to address the dire needs of the Palestinian population while ensuring their safety. In light of ongoing violence and international legal scrutiny, collaboration between these entities remains vital for achieving lasting peace in the region.
Original Source: news.az
