Egypt, Qatar reject displacement of Palestinians, urge Gaza ceasefire
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Egypt and Qatar reaffirmed their rejection of Palestinian displacement and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
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Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Thursday reaffirmed the importance both Cairo and Doha attach to reaching an agreement that guarantees an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ensures the entry of humanitarian aid. The two leaders stressed their absolute rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land.
The meeting took place at the government headquarters in New Alamein City, attended by Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk.
Strengthening bilateral ties
Madbouly affirmed the need to build on the outcomes of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's visit to Qatar in April, during which Doha expressed its commitment to supporting stronger economic partnerships with Egypt.
For his part, Al Thani reaffirmed Qatar's determination to "enhance and expand frameworks of bilateral cooperation in various sectors, especially through joint investment projects that meet the aspirations of both peoples."
Joint efforts on Gaza
During a separate meeting with the Qatari prime minister, Foreign Minister Abdelatty stressed that Egypt and Qatar are working together to find political solutions to regional crises, foremost among them the Palestinian cause.
He called for "an immediate halt to the killings in Gaza, the full delivery of humanitarian aid, and the release of prisoners, including Palestinian detainees, as steps toward a final end to the war and aggression against the Palestinian people."
Abdelatty noted that joint efforts have continued despite Israeli obstinacy. He confirmed that Cairo and Doha will keep coordinating with regional and international partners to apply maximum pressure on "Israel" and push for a comprehensive deal, while reiterating that displacement is categorically rejected as it represents "the liquidation of the Palestinian cause."
Read more: 'Israel's' Gaza plan to cause bloodshed, displacement: China UN envoy
Proposal for a 60-day deal
The Egyptian minister revealed that current diplomatic efforts aim at securing a 60-day agreement that would establish a ceasefire. During this period, negotiations would address ending the war, the release of all prisoners, and guaranteeing full humanitarian access to Gaza.
He added that the ultimate goal is to pave the way for a political process leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Abdelatty also condemned the campaign of systematic starvation in Gaza, warning that the use of humanitarian aid as a weapon of collective punishment sets a "dangerous precedent."
