Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry: US key to breaking violence cycle in Gaza
“The scale of devastation and loss in terms of civilian casualties necessitates immediate ceasefire to … avoid further causalities and displacement,” Shoukry said.
In a recent statement, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry emphasized the crucial role of the US in ending the violence in Gaza. He called upon the US to use its influence to prevent additional bloodshed and break the cycle of violence in the region.
During an interview at a World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Riyadh, Shoukry emphasized the unique ability of the United States to influence conditions, motivate all parties involved to find common ground, and put an end to the cycle of violence, as reported by CNBS.
Hamas representatives are set to visit Egypt on Monday to review Israel’s latest offer for a potential captive release agreement and ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Mediators are working diligently to finalize the deal amid growing tensions, with Israel warning of a possible incursion into the Palestinian city of Rafah.
He also urged for moderation and for recognizing that ending the conflict is in favor of all parties and the entire region, calling for a political horizon that addresses the Palestinian cause.
Moreover, the minister affirmed that implementing the two-state solution and establishing a Palestinian state is the only way to ensure security for both Palestinians and Israelis.
Shoukry stressed that both sides should demonstrate political will and flexibility to reach a ceasefire and captive release deal, refusing to give details on the current ceasefire proposal.
Per Israeli media reports, Egypt has proposed the release of 33 Israeli captives, including women, the elderly, and the ill, in return for a three-week ceasefire and revival of the deadlocked talks.
In late November, Egypt and Qatar helped mediate a week-long ceasefire when Hamas freed over 100 captives in exchange for 240 detained Palestinian women and children.
However, subsequent talks have failed to progress on a ceasefire or detainee swap deal.
Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians and injured over 77,000, mostly children and women, in its more-than-six-month war on Gaza.
Additionally, the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee members urged on Sunday, on the WEF sidelines, the international community to impose effective sanctions on Israel.
They called for stopping the export of weapons to Israel over violating international law and international humanitarian law and committing war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.
