Egypt pushes for deal in Gaza after Israel-Lebanon ceasefire

Egypt welcomed on Wednesday the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal that has come into effect early that day, and pushed for an end to Israel’s deadly war on the Gaza Strip.

In an official statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said “that the deal could contribute to de-escalation in the region by applying the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which includes the deployment of Lebanese troops in southern Lebanon and assuming control over all territories [in the country].”

The ministry further reiterated the necessity of respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty with no interference in its domestic affairs, the need to reinforce state institutions, including the presidential election based on national consensus, while allowing no extrinsic factors to interfere.

The Hezbollah-Israel agreement, brokered by the US and France, has been put into force 4 am Beirut time (2:00 AM GMT), ending almost 14 months of fire exchange across the Lebanese-Israeli border that followed Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

Efforts to negotiate a long-term ceasefire in Gaza have so far faltered, with Israel continually thwarting proposals, with the only pause in fighting during a week-long truce in late November 2023. 

The Palestinian Hamas faction that rules the strip announced, also on Wednesday, its readiness for a ceasefire, with senior officials stating they have communicated their intention to mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.  

Meanwhile, Egypt’s foreign ministry emphasised the importance of pushing for de-escalation in the region, arguing that an armed solution cannot solve regional crises and urging all parties to adhere to the principles of international laws and UN resolutions.

“Cairo advocated for a decisive political process with a timeline to establish a Palestinian state on Palestinian soil and end occupation as per international laws and US resolutions,” the statement read.

The 13-month Israeli war has killed at least 44,282 Palestinians and wounded 104,880 wounded, according to Gaza’s health ministry.