French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné recently met with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in Cairo as part of diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Séjourné’s regional tour included visits to Tel Aviv, the Palestinian Territories, and Beirut, with Cairo being his final stop.
The discussions in Doha prior to the meeting in Cairo were classified as promising, with Abdelatty expressing optimism that a ceasefire could be achieved with political will and sincerity. A US official mentioned that the proposed ceasefire deal addresses all gaps between Israel and Hamas, with preparations already underway for implementation.
Despite progress, Hamas has expressed doubts about the agreement’s proximity, citing differences from an earlier version they had accepted. Israel has sought clarifications, leading to accusations from both sides about jeopardizing the deal.
Efforts to secure the release of hostages, deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, and ensure compliance with the agreement’s terms are underway, with an “implementation cell” being set up in Cairo.
The US, along with other mediators, have been working tirelessly to convince Hamas to agree to a hostage release deal, with both sides initially agreeing in principle to a plan announced by President Joe Biden. However, disagreements have arisen, causing delays in finalizing the agreement.
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