Egypt says it will promote peace between Israel and Hamas

World Today

The Egyptian government declared it will do its best to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas despite Hamas’s connection with the Muslim Brotherhood. Adel El-Mahrouky reports.

The Egyptian government has sent food and medical supplies to Palestinians in Gaza despite their lack of desire to help Hamas. They have also urged Israel to show restraint in its campaign against the group.

Some have criticized Egypt’s response to the violence in Gaza, suggesting that the government has taken a “back seat.” Egypt says, however, that it is doing its best to negotiate an exit strategy for Palestinians, even though no proposed solutions have been made public.

Hamas’s political wing leader Khaled Mashaal called on the Egyptian army to engage and end the violence. Hamas officials said that they are ready for a ceasefire only if they can get something in return, such as the release of prisoners recently arrested by Israel.

Egyptian presdient Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has opened the Rafah Passage conditionally for humanitarian aid. This contrasts with the situation during Morsi’s presidency in 2012, in which the passage was opened immediately.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the restrictions over the passage, but did not mention the six passages on the Israel-Gaza border which are all locked.

Egypt says it will promote peace between Israel and Hamas

The Egyptian government declared it will do its best to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas despite Hamas's connection with the Muslim Brotherhood. Adel El-Mahrouky reports.