Egypt Praises Qatar, U.S. Efforts in Securing Gaza Ceasefire

Egypt has expressed its appreciation to Qatar for its ongoing coordination in securing a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and commended the pivotal role played by both the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump and the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden in resolving the crisis.

In a statement issued Saturday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment, in partnership with Qatar and the United States, to consolidating the ceasefire agreement. It also announced the establishment of a joint operations room in Egypt to oversee critical aspects of the agreement, including the exchange of hostages and detainees, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and facilitating the movement of individuals through the reopened Rafah Crossing.

The ministry expressed hope that the ceasefire would mark the beginning of a broader regional and international effort to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. It urged the international community, particularly the United States, to support and solidify the agreement, calling for humanitarian assistance and the development of an emergency plan to rebuild Gaza.

Highlighting the need for a lasting resolution, Egypt called for a roadmap to rebuild trust between the conflicting sides and urged a return to negotiations. It emphasized the importance of resolving the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution based on international resolutions, with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministry also reflected on Egypt’s sustained diplomatic efforts since the onset of the Gaza crisis on October 7, 2023. Working closely with regional and international partners, Egypt has played a critical role in mediating the ceasefire agreement.

Driven by its strong commitment to its Palestinian neighbors, Egypt set up a permanent operations room to monitor developments and prioritize humanitarian aid delivery. The country has kept the Rafah border crossing open continuously to facilitate the entry of aid and the evacuation of the injured.

The statement underscored Egypt’s determination to alleviate the impact of the conflict on Gaza’s residents while maintaining its focus on broader regional stability. Egypt’s efforts, along with those of Qatar and the U.S., are being viewed as a significant step toward a sustainable peace in the region.