Egypt, US And Qatar Strive To Reach Ceasefire In Gaza

JAKARTA - The Egyptian government together with the United States and Qatar are working hard to reach a ceasefire agreement amid Israel's war in the Gaza Strip, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Friday 19 April.

"It is important for Hamas and Israel to show political desire, be responsible for reaching a ceasefire agreement, and protect civilians," Shoukry told government broadcaster SABC in Pretoria after meeting his South African partner, Naledi Pandor, as reported by Anadolu.

Egypt, Qatar and the US have negotiated a ceasefire and ended the Israeli war which began in October.

"It is important for us to continue to focus on the lives and safety of the Palestinian people. After more than 33,000 people were killed, of which 20,000 women and children. This is terrible and must be stopped. We must reach a ceasefire, repatriating hostages and detainees," he said.

Shoukry also stressed the need to provide humanitarian assistance to Gazans and must be admitted that forced transfer is a war crime.

"We must regain peace and security as well as the political horizon to grant the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their state formation in line with June 1967 and East Jerusalem as its capital," Shoukry said.

Meanwhile, regarding the increasing hostilities between Israel and Iran, he said "states in the region deserve to be in peace, security, stability and coexist with harmony and cooperation."

Shoukry said Egypt had warned of an escalation that led to a wider conflict in the region that jeopardized the security of any country.

"There have been losses to the global economy with military activities in the Red Sea, which must also be handled," he added.

Meanwhile, Naledi Pandor said the most important issue for the international community today is the safety and lives of Palestinians.

"We must reach a ceasefire, our goal is to protect all Palestinian people and end the massacres and attacks on Palestinians who are the main focus and we always say that we don't want to see an increase in hostilities. - The world doesn't need it," said Pandor.

"What we need is peace. All we need is stability, security and we need to make sure this terrible tragedy ends soon," he added.