Israel has killed at least 4,117 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since resuming its genocidal war on March 18.
Qatar and Egypt have issued a joint statement saying “their intensive efforts” to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are ongoing based on the proposal of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
“Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt continue their intensive efforts to bring views closer and address contentious points with a view to reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, based on the proposal of the U.S. President’s envoy to the Middle East,” the two Arab countries said in the statement.
The two countries also called on “all parties to exercise responsibility and support” the mediators’ efforts, noting that they are working to reach a 60-day truce that would pave the way for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
“This would facilitate the resolution of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the region, enable the opening of border crossings, and allow the entry of humanitarian and relief aid to alleviate the suffering faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza,” the statement explained.
The deal also seeks to initiate the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip based on the plan adopted by the emergency Arab summit, which was held in Cairo on March 4.
The summit saw Arab leaders adopt Egypt’s $53bn (about QAR 193bn) plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip over three phases, which would require at least five years to implement.
Hamas welcomed Qatar and Egypt’s efforts while reiterating its readiness to begin a new round of indirect negotiations.
“The movement affirms its readiness to immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on the points of contention, ensuring relief for our people and ending the humanitarian tragedy, leading to a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal of the occupation forces,” Hamas said on Telegram on Sunday.
Hamas had submitted its response to Witkoff’s proposal on May 31, demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the territory—demands that Israel repeatedly rejected.
The Palestinian group would then release 10 living and 18 dead captives in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners.
The indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel have stalled since the latter renewed its onslaught in the Gaza Strip on March 18, breaking the ceasefire deal the mediators brokered in January.
Israel has killed at least 4,117 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since resuming its genocidal war, according to the latest figures by the local health ministry.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed more than 61,700 people in the Gaza Strip, according to a revised figure by the local health ministry. However, the figure is believed to be significantly higher with thousands trapped under the rubble.
Israel has also caused a humanitarian catastrophe by blocking off all aid entry into the besieged enclave, where starvation threatens the lives of the 2.1 million population.
