Egypt Daily News – In a joint statement issued on Sunday, Egypt and Qatar announced the continuation of their intensive efforts to bridge differences and resolve outstanding issues in order to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. These efforts are based on a proposal put forward by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Wietkoff, which aims to restart indirect negotiations between the concerned parties.
The two nations emphasized their intention to intensify coordination with the United States to overcome the current obstacles facing negotiations. They urged all involved parties to act responsibly and support the mediation efforts to end the crisis, restore calm, and ensure regional stability.
Egypt and Qatar expressed hope for a swift agreement on a 60-day temporary truce, which they see as a crucial step toward a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Such a truce would aim to alleviate the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the strip by facilitating the reopening of border crossings and allowing the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid, helping to ease the suffering of civilians.
The statement also highlighted their shared vision of ending the war completely and beginning the reconstruction of Gaza, in accordance with the plan adopted during the emergency Arab summit held in Cairo in March.
Meanwhile, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), described the current situation surrounding aid distribution in Gaza as a “deadly trap.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he noted that large numbers of hungry civilians have been killed while attempting to access food aid, citing accounts from field medical teams.
Lazzarini stressed that the safe and large-scale delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid can only be achieved through the United Nations, including UNRWA. His remarks followed a deadly incident earlier on Sunday in which over 30 Palestinians were killed and at least 200 injured while heading to a food distribution point in western Rafah.
In response, the Israeli military stated that it “did not open fire on civilians” near the aid distribution center. Additionally, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation denied reports from rescue teams and local health sources that dozens had been killed or injured near two of its aid distribution centers in the Gaza Strip, calling the claims “inaccurate.”
The developments underscore the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian pause and a coordinated international response to prevent further civilian casualties and to pave the way toward a sustainable resolution to the conflict.
In contrast, Israel has escalated its rhetoric and threats. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed to “destroy Hamas” if the hostages held by the group are not released. Gallant stated, “Either Hamas releases the hostages, or it will be destroyed,” announcing that he had ordered the military to proceed with targeting objectives regardless of the progress of negotiations.
The Israeli radio reported, citing security sources, that Tel Aviv is preparing for a broad military escalation against Hamas following the group’s response to the proposal presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.
The reports indicated that Israel intends to intensify its military operations to pressure Hamas leadership inside the Gaza Strip. Additionally, changes are expected in the mechanism for distributing food aid, including bringing in additional trucks and opening new distribution points, in an attempt to “strip the movement of control,” according to the sources.
Hamas also announced on Saturday evening that it had submitted its official response to Witkoff’s proposal to the mediators. In a press statement, the group explained that it did so “after conducting a round of national consultations, and out of its responsibility toward the Palestinian people,” reaffirming its demands for a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and guarantees for the flow of humanitarian aid.
This escalation follows similar incidents in the Gaza Strip, the most recent of which occurred last Wednesday, when Palestinian media reported a large explosion near an aid distribution center in the “Netzarim” corridor in central Gaza, followed by gunfire from the Israeli army targeting civilians returning from the site.
This military and humanitarian escalation once again highlights the dire situation in Gaza, amid the continued blockade and dwindling chances of survival for more than two million people enduring hunger and daily displacement.
