Egypt's president hosts Qatari emir to discuss Palestine
At the request of Palestine and Saudi Arabia, the summit between Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will discuss Israel's offensive against the Gaza Strip, which has been ongoing since 7 October. Egypt and Qatar are working to pave the way for a humanitarian ceasefire and a prisoner exchange in the Gaza Strip.
The visit is part of Egypt's cooperation with all parties concerned to resolve the current crisis in Gaza. Cairo is working with international and regional partners to achieve a ceasefire and allow food and other humanitarian aid to enter the besieged area through the Rafah border.
Israel's assault on Gaza has killed 10,560 people, including 4,324 children and 2,823 women, and injured more than 25,000 since the Gaza war began on 7 October. Israel blockaded the Palestinian territories, cutting off all food, water, power and fuel supplies, while erecting a wall that delayed the arrival of humanitarian aid. According to reports, President Al-Sisi and Sheikh Tamim will discuss the Hamas prisoner crisis in the context of Israel's war in the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7.
His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived in Cairo for a visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt. Upon his arrival, the Amir was received by the President of the Republic, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, at Cairo International Airport. The reception was attended by Qatari Ambassador to Egypt Tariq Ali al-Ansari and Qatari Embassy staff, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani and the official delegation.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rejected a US offer for Egypt to take over security in the Gaza Strip until the Palestinian Authority assumes power after Israel ousts the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Citing senior Egyptian officials, the Wall Street Journal reported that Al-Sisi and his intelligence chief, Abbas Kamal, met with CIA Director William Burns in Cairo to discuss the US proposal. Egypt's president said his government would play no role in eliminating Hamas because the militants are needed to secure the border with Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ABC News on Monday that Israel can assume responsibility for security in the Gaza Strip indefinitely. "I believe Israel will have unlimited responsibility for the security of the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu said, "because we have seen what happens when there is no security." "If we don't have security responsibilities, Hamas terrorism will expand on a scale we can't imagine."
The US rejected the Israeli prime minister's offer, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Israel should not reoccupy the Gaza Strip, but that there could be a transition period after the end of the conflict with Hamas. Blinken said Gaza can no longer be ruled by Hamas. "It is also clear that Israel does not occupy Gaza. The reality today is that a transitional period may be necessary once the conflict ends, but it is essential that the Palestinian people are at the centre of the government in Gaza and the West Bank. Just as there will be no displacement of Palestinians, there will be no reoccupation," he said.