Egypt president thanks Qatar emir for Gaza truce efforts

Ahram Online , Sunday 26 Nov 2023

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi expressed on Sunday his appreciation for efforts by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to mediate a truce in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners between Hamas and Israel.

Sisi, Tamim

 

El-Sisi hailed Qatar’s efforts “to facilitate the humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip and render the exchange of captives and prisoners successful,” on his social media accounts.

“I look forward to more joint cooperation to meet the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people and establish a comprehensive peace in the region,” he added.

The Israel-Hamas truce – mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US – entered its third day on Sunday, with both sides preparing for the third wave of agreed-upon prisoner releases.

On Friday, as per the agreement, Hamas released 13 of its Israeli captives and Israel released 39 Palestinian political prisoners in its jails.

On Saturday, a second batch of 13 Israeli captives and 39 Palestinian prisoners were released.

The third batch includes 13 Israelis captive and 39 Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails, head of Egypt's State Information Service Diaa Rashwan said on Sunday afternoon.

The four-day truce agreement involves a stop to all hostilities in Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid for 2.4 million Palestinians in the besieged strip.

The agreement stipulates the release of 50 Israeli captives, including women and children.

In return, 150 Palestinian political prisoners, including women and children, are to be released from Israeli detention.

The agreement also allows room for an extension and the release of more captives and prisoners.

Communications are ongoing with all parties to extend the four-day truce for one or two additional days, according to Rashwan.

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