Daijiworld Media Network - Cairo
Cairo, Jul 26: Egypt and Qatar have reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing mediation efforts aimed at halting the devastating war in Gaza, amid mounting civilian casualties and deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
In a joint statement released by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Friday, both nations emphasized that their mediation efforts remain active and that negotiations, which began intensively on July 6, had shown some progress. They clarified that the temporary suspension of talks for consultations is a standard part of complex diplomatic processes.
The statement comes in the wake of Israel recalling its delegation from Doha for consultations after receiving Hamas’s response to the latest ceasefire proposal. A senior Hamas official confirmed that mediators had assured the group that Israeli negotiators would return next week to resume discussions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, commenting on the impasse, stated that Israel is exploring alternative strategies to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, claiming that Hamas remains the main obstacle to reaching a deal. The US envoy Steve Witkoff echoed the sentiment, saying Hamas’s latest response “clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire.”
Hamas has rejected the accusations, blaming Israel for delaying a resolution and continuing its military onslaught.
The war, which began in October 2023, has resulted in staggering human costs. According to Gaza health authorities, over 59,700 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of them women and children, and more than 143,000 injured. The enclave’s infrastructure lies in ruins, with mass starvation, a collapsed health system, and severe shortages of essential goods due to Israel’s restrictions on aid entry.
On the other side, Tel Aviv reports that of the estimated 250 hostages taken by Hamas during the initial stages of the conflict, 50 are believed to remain in Gaza, with only 20 thought to be alive.
Meanwhile, more than 10,000 Palestinians are reportedly held in Israeli prisons, many under dire conditions including torture, starvation, and medical neglect, contributing to rising deaths in custody, as per Palestinian and independent Israeli sources.
Despite international pressure and rising humanitarian alarm, a lasting ceasefire remains elusive. Both Egypt and Qatar continue to urge all sides to prioritize civilian protection, enable detainee exchanges, and work toward a sustainable resolution.