Egypt, Palestine discuss Gaza ceasefire implementation amid regional diplomacy
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Cairo: Egypt’s Intelligence Chief Hassan Mahmoud Rashad met Palestinian Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh in Cairo to advance efforts to stabilise the Gaza ceasefire and address the ongoing crisis in the enclave, according to Al-Qahera News TV.
Palestinian Intelligence Chief Majed Faraj also attended the meeting, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire agreement and rejected the Israeli Knesset’s recent decision to annex Palestinian territory.
Cairo is concurrently hosting talks among Palestinian factions aimed at building consensus under the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace initiative. Egyptian officials are reportedly intensifying diplomatic engagement with Washington to consolidate the ceasefire and promote a lasting peace.
Earlier this week, Rashad held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, focusing on bilateral relations and the advancement of Trump’s plan.
The ceasefire, brokered by the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, came into effect on 10 October following two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas, Xinhua news agency reported. Despite the truce, Gaza’s health authorities report that 89 people have been killed and 317 injured since 11 October. The broader military campaign, which began on 7 October 2023, has resulted in 68,280 Palestinian deaths and 170,375 injuries.
US diplomatic activity in Israel has intensified, with recent visits by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Vice-President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, all focused on the next phase of the ceasefire.
Egypt is also preparing to host an international conference on Gaza reconstruction in November, aimed at bolstering regional stability and advancing the peace process.
(Inputs from IANS)