Egypt said it was working with fellow Gaza mediators Qatar and the United States to broker a 60-day ceasefire, on Tuesday, August 12, as part of a renewed push to end the Israel-Hamas war. Egypt, Qatar and the US have played key roles in mediating talks between Israel and Hamas since the Palestinian militant group’s October 7, 2023 attack triggered the ongoing war.
“We are working very hard now in full cooperation with the Qataris and Americans,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told reporters at a press conference in Cairo. “The main objective is to go back to the original proposal – to have a ceasefire for 60 days, with the release of some hostages and some Palestinian detainees, and the flow of humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza without restrictions, without conditions.” “We are talking with Hamas, with the Israelis and pushing for a deal” based on a recent US plan, Abdelatty said.
Talks broke down in July
Last month, more than two weeks of negotiations in Doha failed to secure a breakthrough in talks for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. Hamas negotiators eventually withdrew days after the United States and Israel pulled their own delegations.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff blamed Hamas for the failure, saying Washington would “consider alternative options” after no agreement was reached.
A previous short-lived truce earlier this year collapsed and did not lead to a lasting agreement.
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