Egypt and Qatar announced on Sunday that they are intensifying joint mediation efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, amid mounting international pressure to end the ongoing Israeli genocide.

The renewed push for a resolution is based on a proposal put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and seeks to resume indirect negotiations between the parties.

In a joint statement, Cairo and Doha reaffirmed their commitment to coordinate closely with the United States in their efforts to bridge the remaining gaps between the conflicting sides. Both countries urged all parties to act responsibly and support mediation efforts to halt the genocide and restore calm to the region.

The two states expressed hope that the current diplomatic momentum will lead to a temporary 60-day truce as a step toward a permanent ceasefire. According to the statement, such an agreement would enable the reopening of border crossings, the flow of humanitarian aid, and the implementation of reconstruction plans agreed upon at the emergency Arab summit in Cairo on March 4, 2025.

The announcement came one day after the Hamas Movement confirmed that it had delivered its formal response to the U.S.-backed “Witkoff proposal” through mediators. Hamas said its position centers on securing a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and uninterrupted humanitarian access for the besieged population.

However, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff swiftly dismissed the response, calling it “completely unacceptable” and claiming it would “only set us back” in the negotiation process. Witkoff did not elaborate on specific objections to the proposal but reiterated Washington’s stance against any terms that might be seen as legitimizing Hamas’s demands.

Despite this rejection, Egypt and Qatar continue to push for renewed indirect talks and stress the urgent need to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. According to recent reports, Gaza faces a severe shortage of food, medical supplies, and shelter amid ongoing Israeli bombardments and a blockade that has lasted months.

Diplomatic sources suggest that the coming days will be critical in determining whether the mediation efforts gain traction or whether the Israeli genocidal aggression in Gaza will escalate further. (ILKHA)