Gaza War: Egypt's Mediation Seeks Long-Term Settlement

Palestinians look at the destruction of a house in the aftermath of a strike amid the conflict with Israel in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip (File photo: Reuters)

Egypt continues its mediation efforts between the Palestinian factions and Israel, seeking a long-term settlement to end the war in Gaza.
Qatar also joined the resumed efforts and attended the meetings with Palestinian and Israeli officials last week.
Over the past weeks, Egypt has tried to put forward several initiatives for a ceasefire that were met with obstacles. But its endeavors have intensified to mobilize international support for an immediate ceasefire.
Several media reports discussed the Egyptian proposals and initiatives for a new truce to enter into force.
The plan includes three stages, starting with a humanitarian truce where Hamas releases all civilian captives in exchange for an appropriate number of Palestinian prisoners, with the massive introduction of aid into the Gaza Strip, and the redeployment of Israeli forces away from residential communities.
The informal discussion of putting forward a new Egyptian proposal to stop the war came in conjunction with the arrival of the Islamic Jihad delegation headed by Secretary-General Ziad al-Nakhala to discuss ceasefire efforts and the flow of aid with Egyptian officials.
Egypt is trying to utilize the international momentum after the Security Council resolution on aid to achieve a permanent ceasefire," according to Ambassador Hussein Haridi, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.
Haridi told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt seeks to form a Palestinian front that enjoys the confidence of the international community to be responsible for Gaza.
Before reaching a long-term ceasefire, he explained that parties must agree on several issues, including managing the transitional phase, ensuring security, and reconstruction.
The official referred to the importance of the previous agreements signed between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the factions, which were not implemented, describing them as a reference that can be built upon the framework of Palestinian reconciliation.
However, he believes that, in the end, the ceasefire is the most important matter at the time.
Egypt is trying to stop the war by tentatively reaching a truce that will last approximately a month and includes the release of civilian prisoners, according to a political science professor at al-Quds University Ayman al-Raqab.
Raqab told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo seeks to create a truce that prepares for the start of the next stage.
The professor believed that if Egyptian efforts achieve consensus between the various parties, the ceasefire would enter into force within no more than 72 hours.
Still, Advisor at the al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies Hassan Abu Talib believed there is a need for more discussions, especially regarding the proposed timetables after the ceasefire.
Abu Talib reiterated that the issue can't be solved overnight but requires many arrangements, mainly the transitional procedures.
The expert pointed out that the primary goal is to stop the war and alleviate human suffering.