Egypt and Qatar have launched a joint effort to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and expedite the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to the war-torn territory. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced the initiative following discussions with Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti in Cairo on Wednesday.
“The Palestinian cause remains central to the Arab world,” Abdelatty stated. “Egypt, in cooperation with Qatar, is working tirelessly to achieve an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression, enforce a ceasefire, and ensure unrestricted humanitarian aid access to Gaza.”
The situation in Gaza is dire. According to the Health Ministry, more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, over half of whom are women and children. The figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
With winter setting in, hundreds of thousands of displaced residents are crammed into makeshift tent camps along Gaza’s coast, enduring cold and wet conditions. Aid organizations are struggling to provide adequate food, clothing, and supplies, citing shortages of essentials like blankets and firewood.
Israel has increased the flow of aid into Gaza to an average of 130 trucks per day in December, up from 70 trucks in previous months. However, this is still far below the region’s needs, with the United Nations reporting that logistical restrictions and lawlessness have left much of the aid undelivered.
During the Cairo talks, Tunisia’s Nafti also highlighted the need for a Libyan-led consensus to achieve peace and stability in Libya, emphasizing the importance of preserving the country’s sovereignty and unity through international and UN-backed efforts.
In Gaza, the ongoing military actions have devastated infrastructure and displaced nearly 90% of its 2.3 million residents, many of whom have been forced to relocate multiple times. The humanitarian and political stakes remain high as Egypt and Qatar continue their mediation efforts.