Lavrov, Shoukry Discuss Regional Issues, Syria

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry (EPA)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry (EPA)
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Lavrov, Shoukry Discuss Regional Issues, Syria

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry (EPA)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry (EPA)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, have discussed bilateral ties and regional crises in the Middle East and North Africa, including Syria. The two appeared to see eye to eye on the priorities in dealing with a settlement in Syria.

Before the meeting in Moscow, the Russian foreign ministry stressed the importance of the issues on the agenda of Moscow and Cairo and stressed the quest to expand Russian-Egyptian cooperation in various fields, especially in the framework of cooperation to settle outstanding issues in the region and advance bilateral relations.

In a joint press conference at the end of their meeting, Lavrov and Shoukry revealed that the first part of their discussions focused on bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Cairo, especially in mega projects like setting up the first Egyptian nuclear power plant with Russian technology and establishing a Russian industrial zone near the Suez Canal.

Talks between the two top diplomats covered a variety of issues, including Libya. Lavrov and Shoukry agreed on the need to continue the UN-sponsored dialogue in Libya and holding elections there on time.

The two also stressed the need for all foreign forces to exit Libya, but Lavrov clarified that his country underlines the need for the withdrawal to be gradual.

On Palestinian, the two sides stressed the need to return to the path of settlement on the basis of international resolutions and in a manner that leads to the implementation of the principle of a two state solution.

More so, Shoukry said that he discussed latest developments on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam [GERD], and efforts to reach a binding legal solution on filling and operating the dam.

Shoukry thanked Russia for the support that Egypt received when addressing the GERD in the Security Council and said that Cairo is looking forward to continuing cooperation between the two countries in this regard.



Hamas Sources: Gaza Ceasefire Talks Ongoing Despite Israeli Obstacles

Palestinians in Gaza City wait to receive food aid on Monday (AFP)
Palestinians in Gaza City wait to receive food aid on Monday (AFP)
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Hamas Sources: Gaza Ceasefire Talks Ongoing Despite Israeli Obstacles

Palestinians in Gaza City wait to receive food aid on Monday (AFP)
Palestinians in Gaza City wait to receive food aid on Monday (AFP)

Despite accusations from Hamas that Israel is deliberately placing hurdles in the way of indirect negotiations in Doha aimed at securing a two-month ceasefire, sources within the movement confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that there are ongoing consultations.

Hamas sources said Israel continues to obstruct progress in the Qatar-hosted negotiations, which have been underway for over a week with only limited breakthroughs.

“Each time there is partial progress on some provisions, the Israeli delegation delays discussions on other points and refuses to engage until it receives fresh instructions from officials in Tel Aviv,” the sources explained.

Palestinian negotiators believe this approach is designed to buy time and apply pressure on the Palestinian factions’ team, while ultimately blaming them for any failure of the talks, which are dragging on due to Israel’s contradictory positions.

Humanitarian Aid a Major Sticking Point

The most significant obstacle, according to Hamas, remains Israel’s refusal to commit to a comprehensive withdrawal plan, as well as its insistence on maintaining the current aid delivery mechanism, which Hamas describes as a “death trap” for civilians in Gaza.

The sources said Israel has agreed in principle to allow aid into areas it withdraws from through international organizations. However, the Palestinian delegation is demanding that assistance be delivered under the humanitarian protocol negotiated in January.

This protocol is broader than Israel’s proposals and includes not only food and medical supplies, but also construction materials, equipment to repair hospitals and schools, and goods for the private sector to sell in local markets.

Israel has informed mediators that it reached an understanding with the European Union to allow 500 trucks per day into Gaza, which the Palestinian negotiators welcomed. Still, they insisted on clear guarantees that the deliveries would follow the January protocol without manipulation.

Maps and Withdrawal Timelines

Maps of military positions remain another major sticking point. The Hamas delegation is demanding that any Israeli withdrawal be based on the maps set out in the previous ceasefire agreement and implemented gradually according to a clear timetable.

That January agreement had allowed Israeli forces to remain temporarily in buffer zones around Gaza, ranging from 500 to 1,000 meters wide. The Palestinian side is adamant that troops must not remain inside Gaza itself and that the withdrawal must lead to a complete pullout in a second phase of the agreement.

According to the sources, the negotiators want precise language in each clause to prevent Israel from delaying or avoiding implementation, as has occurred in past agreements.

Waiting for US Pressure

Negotiations have not broken down, and the Hamas delegation believes American pressure will be critical to moving Israel off its current positions.

On Sunday evening, US President Donald Trump expressed hope that the ceasefire discussions would yield concrete results within days.

Later that night, a senior Hamas delegation met with Islamic Jihad leaders to coordinate positions and underscore that any deal must fulfill Palestinian aspirations, above all, ending the war, securing a full Israeli withdrawal, reopening crossings, and launching reconstruction.

Flexibility on the Morag Corridor

Meanwhile, Israel’s Security Cabinet convened Sunday evening to review the possibility of a prisoner swap. According to Channel 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ministers he was interested in reaching an agreement on the hostages, even as Hamas continues to reject Israel’s terms. He warned that fighting could resume after any temporary ceasefire if Hamas does not accept Israel’s conditions for ending the war.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Netanyahu, once firmly opposed to any pullback from the Morag Corridor. a strategic strip that bisects Rafah and separates it from Khan Younis - is now willing to show some flexibility.

Israeli control of the 12-kilometer corridor would allow it to further fragment Gaza and expand its security buffer zones.