Egypt and Qatar are engaged in talks to stabilize the Gaza ceasefire and facilitate a prisoner exchange. The discussions, led by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, emphasize increasing humanitarian aid and implementing an Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza, estimated to cost $53 billion over five years. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, prompting international concern and actions against Israeli officials.
On Wednesday, Egypt and Qatar engaged in discussions aimed at stabilizing the ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating a prisoner exchange involving Hamas and Israel. Conducted in Doha, these meetings included Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, occurring shortly after negotiations commenced for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, as reported by News.Az.
The discussions highlighted the importance of enhancing bilateral relations, solidifying the ceasefire, and expediting the exchange of hostages and detainees. An official statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry underlined the urgent need to increase humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza to address the pressing needs of Palestinian civilians.
Furthermore, the officials reviewed the outcomes from a recent Arab summit held in Cairo on March 4 and an extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. They deliberated on implementing a comprehensive Arab initiative for the reconstruction of Gaza and the essential funding measures required.
An approved Arab plan aims to rebuild Gaza over five years, costing approximately $53 billion, while ensuring that displaced residents are not affected. This plan emerged as a counter to a previous proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump that was widely criticized as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
Since October 2023, around 50,000 casualties, predominantly women and children, have been reported due to the Israeli military action in Gaza. A ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement initiated in January have paused hostilities. Moreover, an investigation by the International Criminal Court led to the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli officials, highlighting accusations of war crimes.
In conclusion, the talks between Egypt and Qatar reflect a significant diplomatic effort to fortify the Gaza ceasefire and arrange a prisoner exchange. The focus on humanitarian aid and reconstruction underscores the dire needs of the Palestinian population amid ongoing conflict. The support from international Arab forums further highlights the region’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis and restoring stability to Gaza.
Original Source: news.az
