Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has warned US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken of the risk of the war in Gaza expanding regionally in a way “difficult to imagine”.
This came as Blinken met with the Egyptian President in Egypt’s coastal city of El-Alamein.
Blinken was in Cairo pushing for areas of possible progress on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal in talks planned for later this week, with major areas of dispute left unresolved.
Blinken arrived in Egypt from Tel Aviv, where he said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accepted a US “bridging proposal” aimed at narrowing the gaps between the two sides after talks last week paused without a breakthrough.
He urged Hamas to also accept the proposal as the basis for more talks.
The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Director of the General Intelligence Service Major General Abbas Kamel, as well as U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Herro Mustafa Garg.
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stated that sparing the blood of the peoples should be the major driving force for all parties.
“The ceasefire in Gaza must be the beginning of broader international recognition of the Palestinian state and the implementation of the two-state solution, as this is the basic guarantor of stability in the region.”
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
“The time has come to end the ongoing war, and to resort to wisdom, and to uphold the language of peace and diplomacy,” el-Sisi said in a statement, adding all parties must be wary of the “danger of the conflict expanding regionally.”
Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Ahmed Fahmy, disclosed that the meeting between Blinken and El-Sisi underscored the robust strategic partnership between Egypt and the U.S.
The discussions also confirmed the two countries’ commitment to advancing joint efforts to restore security and stability in the region.
Within this context, the two sides reviewed the joint Egyptian-American-Qatari mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and exchange detainees.
President El-Sisi and Blinken exchanged views on the results of the latest negotiations, which were held last week in the Qatari capital, Doha, and on ways to achieve progress in the ongoing negations in Cairo.
Blinken briefed President El-Sisi on the outcome of his visit to Israel, stressing the U.S.’ commitment to efforts toward calming the situation and reaching an agreement.
He also expressed huge appreciation for Egypt’s role and constructive efforts in this regard.
The top U.S Diplomat is expected to arrive in Qatar for further talks after leaving Egypt.
Hamas Slams US Claims About Ceasefire Status
Also on Tuesday, Hamas released a new statement rejecting US accusations that it is blocking a ceasefire deal.
In its statement, Hamas said that the claim by Blinken that it is backing away from a deal is “misleading.”
The group stressed it is eager to reach a deal and remains committed to the US and UN-backed ceasefire framework put forward in June.
It included a three-phased plan to end the Israeli war on Gaza, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the strip, and the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
However, the Palestinian group said that the latest proposal being pushed by the US and Israel includes new provisions contradicting the earlier framework.
The group said that it will only come to the table to discuss implementation mechanisms of the US and UN-backed ceasefire plan and will not discuss new proposals.
Hamas stated that by shifting the terms, the US is showing “blind bias” towards Israel and acquiescing to its demands, enabling it to “commit more crimes against defenceless civilians, in pursuit of the goals of exterminating and displacing our people.”
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