Sisi Says Cairo Plays a 'Positive Role' in De-escalation of Gaza Crisis

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt, stated on Wednesday, October 25, that his country plays a 'very positive role' in efforts to de-escalate tensions and find a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. According to Reuters, Egypt is actively involved in negotiations to send humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza through the Rafah crossing, adjacent to this Palestinian area, as well as for the release of hostages. The country is calling for a ceasefire and an end to military hostilities. El-Sisi made these remarks while inspecting Egyptian warplanes, tanks, and other military equipment during a drill in the western part of the Sinai Peninsula, about 215 kilometers from the border with Gaza. He emphasized that Egypt will use its weapons 'wisely' and for 'defense.' El-Sisi is scheduled to meet with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, in Cairo on Wednesday. He noted that this military exercise, which was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the October 6, 1973 war against Israel, has been postponed due to the current conflict. Last Saturday, during a peace summit in Cairo, the Egyptian president warned against any Israeli actions to relocate the people of Gaza to the Sinai Peninsula, stating, 'The dissolution of the Palestinian cause will not happen without a just solution, and in any case, Egypt will never pay the price for it.' Meanwhile, according to three diplomats and a regional source, as Israel prepares for a ground assault on Gaza, Qatari mediators are urging Hamas to expedite the release of hostages. Reuters reports that these mediators have asked Hamas to release hostages, including women and children held in Gaza, without expecting concessions from Israel. Qatar, in coordination with the United States, is leading negotiations with Hamas and Israeli officials for the release of over 200 hostages captured during the October 7 attack on Israel. The U.S., Japan, and the European Union have designated this militant group as a terrorist organization. On Monday, Hamas released two Israeli civilian women after freeing two American-Israeli hostages last Friday. Another source told Reuters on Tuesday that 'progress has been made' in the negotiations between Qatar, Hamas, and Israel for the release of more hostages. Diplomats and a regional source familiar with these negotiations stated that these discussions do not include Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas. Hamas claims these soldiers are 'strategic assets' that the group can ultimately use to gain significant concessions from Israel. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, confirmed on Wednesday, October 25, that his country's negotiations for the release of Hamas hostages in Gaza are progressing. According to Reuters, Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as Qatar's Foreign Minister, expressed hope during a press conference in Doha regarding the release of hostages, saying, 'There have been advancements, and we are hopeful.' He spoke at this press conference alongside his Turkish counterpart. Hakan Fidan, Turkey's Foreign Minister, stated at the same press conference that Israel's ground operation in Gaza would turn the conflict there into a 'massacre.' He added that those who support Israel's actions under the pretext of solidarity are 'accomplices to its crimes.' Meanwhile, according to officials from the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Israel's ground assault on Gaza makes efforts to free hostages 'much more difficult.' Majid Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, stated, 'It is clear that a ground invasion of Gaza complicates the security of the hostages and our mediation efforts with both sides. We urge all parties in the conflict to immediately reduce tensions.' In the Hamas terrorist attack on southern Israel, 1,400 people were killed, most of whom were civilians. During these attacks on various locations in southern Israel, militants from this Palestinian group took at least 222 military and civilian hostages.