Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and U.S. President Joe Biden have urged all parties to demonstrate flexibility and remove obstacles to secure a Gaza ceasefire agreement. The call for urgent action came during a phone conversation between the two leaders, as they discussed efforts to end the violence and address the mounting humanitarian crisis.
According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, Sisi emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the severe suffering of Gaza’s civilian population. He also called for the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave, warning of dire consequences if the conflict escalates further.
President Biden, in turn, commended Egypt’s “essential and historic role” in Middle East peace negotiations. The White House described the country’s contributions as critical to brokering a ceasefire and resolving regional conflicts. Both leaders pledged to maintain close cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the success of the ongoing negotiations.
Qatar’s Role in Mediation
Qatar has played a pivotal role in hosting indirect talks between Hamas and Israel. On Monday, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone call with President Biden to discuss joint mediation efforts. Qatari officials have indicated that the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal is in its final stages, with only minor details remaining to be resolved.
Hamas officials have echoed this sentiment, describing the agreement as nearly complete. Palestinian sources have suggested that a deal could be finalized within days. However, progress has been disrupted several times due to additional conditions imposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sparking criticism from opposition leaders and families of Israeli captives.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The conflict, which began in October 2023, has led to over 46,600 deaths, with the majority being women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities. Despite a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, Israel has continued its military operations in Gaza.
International scrutiny of Israel’s actions has intensified. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. The International Court of Justice is also considering a genocide case against Israel.
Calls for Urgent Action
Both President Sisi and President Biden underscored the need for immediate implementation of a ceasefire agreement to bring relief to Gaza’s population. Sisi reiterated the importance of resolving the crisis to prevent further instability in the region, while Biden emphasized the United States’ commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts.
With mediation efforts led by Egypt, the U.S., and Qatar, there is cautious optimism that a ceasefire agreement will soon be finalized, bringing hope for an end to the devastating violence in Gaza.