Egypt hopes for ceasefire agreement in Gaza ‘soon’

CAIRO/ISTANBUL

Egypt expressed hope Sunday that a ceasefire in Gaza could be reached “soon” and reaffirmed its firm rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians, calling it a “red line.”

Speaking at a press conference in Cairo alongside German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali-Radovan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s “sincere efforts to quickly reach a ceasefire in Gaza.”

He also stressed the urgency of allowing the entry of humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza amid a worsening famine.

“The Israeli aggression on Gaza and the West Bank is blatant, unacceptable, and has crossed all limits,” he said.

On reconstruction, Abdelatty noted that Egypt has completed its vision for rebuilding Gaza in coordination with the US, the World Bank and the Palestinian government.

The Egyptian-led plan, endorsed by Arab states in March, focuses on restoring infrastructure.

Abdelatty added that a date for the Cairo conference on Gaza’s reconstruction will be announced following a ceasefire agreement. The conference will include workshops on security arrangements, governance and administration of the Gaza Strip.

He stressed that the top priority during the first six months following a ceasefire is an early recovery, including stabilizing Palestinians in Gaza.

“The international community rejects all plans for the displacement of Palestinians,” he said, reiterating that “forced displacement is a red line that will not be allowed under any circumstances.”

Earlier Sunday, the German Embassy in Cairo announced on Facebook that Minister Alabali-Radovan had arrived for a one-day official visit.

Also on Sunday, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN cited an unnamed source who said the Israeli military “recommends that the political leadership reach an agreement.” The official expressed hope that such a deal could be finalized “this week.”

The statements came amid indirect negotiations that have been underway since July 6 in Doha, Qatar between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas mediated by Egypt and Qatar with US support aimed at securing a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

Israel has killed nearly 59,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.

The military campaign has destroyed the enclave, collapsed the health system and led to severe food shortages.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.