Conflicts & War

Israel’s FM visits Egypt for talks on Gaza ceasefire

Cairo, May 30 (EFE).- Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi is due to meet his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, on Sunday to discuss a ceasefire in place between Israel and the Gaza Strip’s ruling Islamist Hamas organization.

Ashkenazi’s trip is the first official trip to Egypt by an Israeli foreign minister in 13 years.

In a post to Twitter, Ashkenazi said he would discuss in Cairo a permanent ceasefire with Hamas and the reconstruction of the coastal enclave that was largely destroyed during 11 days of deadly fighting with Israel earlier this month.

“We will discuss establishing a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, a mechanism for providing humanitarian aid & the reconstruction of Gaza with a pivotal role played by the international community,” the Israeli foreign minister said.

An Egyptian-mediated ceasefire has been holding between Israel and Gaza since May 21.

Ashkenazi added that Israel is “fully committed” to the return of its soldiers captured by Hamas.

A source close to Hamas told Efe, on condition of anonymity, that Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh will arrive in Cairo on Monday to discuss the truce in the Gaza Strip with Israel.

Egypt, the first Arab country to recognize Israel in 1979, has mediated in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians on several occasions.

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