Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Al-Masry Al-Youm
Published on 2024-04-08 12:01:55
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi recently discussed with US Central Intelligence Agency head William Burns the joint efforts between Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to establish a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The meeting also covered the latest developments in Gaza and the importance of increasing efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further military actions.
During the meeting, President Sisi highlighted the looming threat of famine in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the urgent need for international cooperation to ensure the immediate delivery of relief aid to all parts of the region. The meeting, which included Egyptian General Intelligence chief Abbas Kamel, emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and preventing military escalation in the city of Rafah. President Sisi strongly opposed the displacement of Palestinians from their land and emphasized the necessity of working towards a just resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution.
Negotiations began in Cairo on Sunday to explore options for a ceasefire in Gaza and to discuss a potential prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. Key participants in the talks included Egyptian and American intelligence officials, as well as representatives from Israel and Qatar. Hamas’s main demands included a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced individuals, and a comprehensive exchange of Palestinian detainees and Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
A Hamas source reiterated the organization’s commitment to a ceasefire and outlined four essential principles: a cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the return of displaced individuals, and the provision of assistance for reconstruction efforts. The negotiations in Cairo were aimed at achieving a lasting ceasefire agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that any ceasefire agreement in Gaza must include the return of abducted individuals. He expressed willingness to negotiate the release of hostages but underlined that Israel would not yield to what he described as Hamas’s excessive demands.
The discussions underscore the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Gaza and the importance of international cooperation in delivering humanitarian aid and ensuring the well-being of civilians in the region. President Sisi’s meeting with CIA head William Burns reflects a commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation to address the challenges facing Gaza and to prevent further escalation of violence in the region.
Read Original article on Egypt Independent
