Egypt, Qatar discuss efforts to reach Gaza ceasefire, review outcomes of Inter-Palestine reconciliation talks in Cairo

CAIRO- 12 October 2024: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty spoke with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar. This call was part of ongoing coordination and consultation between the two countries, focusing on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

The discussion centered on joint efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of hostages, and ensure unconditional access to humanitarian aid. They also reviewed Egypt's initiatives for Palestinian reconciliation, which included hosting delegations from Fatah and Hamas in Cairo to discuss advancing the Palestinian national interest during this critical period for the Palestinian cause.

Additionally, the ministers addressed the serious situation in Lebanon amid ongoing Israeli aggression, emphasizing the importance of a ceasefire and the support of all Lebanese state institutions, particularly the Lebanese army. They highlighted the need to implement UN Resolution 1701, which facilitates the deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon, and stressed the urgency of electing a consensus president to complete Lebanon's state institutions.

Minister Abdelatty and his Qatari counterpart underscored the necessity of coordinated regional and international efforts to deliver humanitarian, shelter, and medical aid to the Lebanese people, particularly in light of the displacement of over 1.2 million due to repeated Israeli attacks. They agreed on the importance of preserving Lebanon's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, along with the need for Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territories and the commitment of the Israeli army to ensure the safety of UN personnel in the UNIFIL force.

On October 9, 2024, Representatives from the Fatah movement, which is led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and the Islamic group Hamas initiated a fresh round of discussions in Cairo on Wednesday to address the Israeli aggression in Gaza and efforts towards national unity.

Hamas has stated that the talks also aim to cover political and on-ground developments, as reported by Al Qahera News.

A Hamas official, quoted by Reuters, highlighted that the meetings will focus on plans for collaboration post the Gaza war, which commenced on October 7, 2023.

These discussions are part of ongoing endeavors between the two factions to mend a longstanding division that deepened when Hamas assumed control of Gaza in 2007.