Egypt Pushes For Gaza Ceasefire, Pressure on Hamas
-
Roshan Amiri
- . December 21, 2023
- . Update: December 21, 2023 2:28 pm
As Israel defies calls to lower intensity of airstrikes and bombings in Gaza, all hopes are on Egypt to make way for a much needed ceasefire. Pressure is also on Hamas to release more Israeli hostages, but uncertainty remains as civilian death toll in Gaza touches 20,000.
Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, is in Cairo for talks with key leaders including Egyptian Intelligence Director Abbas Kamel. He has also had talks with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. A delegation of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad is expected to visit Egypt in a bid to stop the aggression.
Hamas is pushing for truce and blamed the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government for breach on December 1. It is ready to release Israeli military captives held in Gaza in exchange for all Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Saleh al-Arouri, Hamas deputy political bureau chief, highlighted that the Israeli prime minister had earlier rejected the group’s offers and vowed to get the captives released militarily.
Hamas Wants Israel to Stop Gaza war
Haniyeh’s media adviser Taher Al-Nono told Reuters that Hamas was not willing to discuss releasing more Israeli hostages until Israel ends its war in Gaza. “The issue of prisoners can be negotiated after these two matters are achieved. We cannot talk about negotiations while Israel continues its aggression. Discussing any proposal related to prisoners must occur after the cessation of aggression.”
Moreover, the militant group has also rejected temporary pause in Israel’s military campaign, adamant only on a permanent ceasefire. “We have talked with our brothers in Egypt, outlining our stance on this aggression and the urgent need to stop it as a top priority.”
Keep Reading
Shipping Companies to Reroute Vessels to Avoid Red Sea
Jihadist Group Vows to Expel US Forces from Iraq
UK’s David Cameron in Egypt
After talking with leaders in Jordan, the UK foreign secretary David Cameron is headed for Egypt to relay that Britain supports a ceasefire that is sustainable in the long term. He said without Israel’s security being guaranteed by removing Hamas, there could be no lasting peace or two-state solution. Cameron believes that allowing Hamas in power in the Gaza Strip will be a roadblock to reaching a political solution to the crisis.
In Jordan, the British foreign secretary said no-one wants to see this conflict go on for a moment longer than necessary. “But for a ceasefire to work, it needs to be sustainable. If Israel is still facing Hamas in Gaza with rockets and terror tactics, not only will a ceasefire not be sustainable, a two-state solution in the longer term will also not be possible.”
