U.S., Egypt and Qatar call for ‘urgent talks’ next week to reach Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal
The leaders of the U.S., Egypt and Qatar called for Israel and Hamas to resume cease-fire talks next week in either Doha or Cairo.
In a joint statement, President Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani urged both parties “to resume urgent discussion” on Aug. 15 “to close all remaining gaps and commence implementation of the deal without further delay.”
“It is time to bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families,” the statement said, urging Israel and Hamas to refrain from further delays. “The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal.”
The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been mediating the previous cease-fire discussions. Thursday’s joint statement came hours after the White House said Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks are “close” and amid fears of a widening Middle East war following high-profile assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.
The framework agreement on the table is based on the principles outlined by President Biden on May 31 and endorsed by U.N. Security Council Resolution 2735, the statement said. [Continue reading…]