Gaza War: Accelerated Egyptian-Qatari Mediation Seeks Resolution

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip (AP)
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip (AP)
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Gaza War: Accelerated Egyptian-Qatari Mediation Seeks Resolution

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip (AP)
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip (AP)

Egypt has lately pressed ahead with its efforts to finalize positions regarding the framework proposed by Cairo to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

However, there has been no official response from any concerned party, according to official confirmations.

Simultaneously, several positions from the side of Hamas have surfaced, reaffirming the movement's previously declared stance.

This stance asserts that there will be “no negotiations on any deal with Israel without a complete and comprehensive ceasefire.”

Observers speculate that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, might lean towards accepting the Egyptian proposal.

Meanwhile, Israel has yet to declare a clear position on the same proposal or a separate Qatari initiative for a prisoner exchange.

Israeli media quoted an official indicating “slight progress” in the ongoing talks on a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing that “the road ahead is still long.”

Egypt had presented what was described as a “framework proposal,” consisting of three consecutive and interconnected stages that culminate in a ceasefire.

On Saturday, Egypt reiterated its rejection of any interference in Palestinian affairs and stated that it had presented a “framework proposal" regarding the cessation of hostilities in Gaza.

The aim is to bridge the perspectives between the involved parties, although a formal initiative has not yet been put forth.

Egypt’s Chairman of the State Information Service Diaa Rashwan emphasized to the Arab World Press that recent speculations are inaccurate.

He clarified that all matters related to the Palestinian issue are solely the concern of the Palestinian people, and no external parties can intervene.

Dismissing rumors about the formation of a Palestinian government through non-Palestinian external intervention, Rashwan stated that such claims are unfounded.

Rashwan outlined Egypt’s proposal, consisting of three stages that entail extendable ceasefires and the gradual release of dozens of prisoners held by Hamas.

This exchange is contingent on the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, ultimately leading to a cessation of hostilities.



Two Killed in Israeli Strike North of Lebanon’s Capital

An ambulance takes wounded to a hospital in Beirut. (AFP)
An ambulance takes wounded to a hospital in Beirut. (AFP)
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Two Killed in Israeli Strike North of Lebanon’s Capital

An ambulance takes wounded to a hospital in Beirut. (AFP)
An ambulance takes wounded to a hospital in Beirut. (AFP)

At least two people were killed in an Israeli strike near the Christian-majority town of Jounieh, north of Beirut, Lebanon's health ministry said on Saturday, in the first attack on the area by Israeli forces.

The Israeli military was looking into the report of the strike in Jounieh, a spokesperson said. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group that is fighting Israeli troops on Lebanon's southern border and whose top leadership has suffered blows from targeted Israeli strikes.

The health ministry said the Israeli strike targeted a car.

Two witnesses told Reuters they heard a small blast and saw a Honda sports utility vehicle travelling on the main highway south in the direction of Beirut begin to lose control.

The car stopped about 100 meters down the highway and a man and a woman ran out of the vehicle and into a grassy area on the side of the highway before another blast, the witnesses said.

One witness saw the charred remains of a person in the grassy area.