Palestinians carry some salvaged belongings as they leave the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip after they returned briefly to check on their homes on May 31, 2024. AFP
“As mediators in the ongoing discussions to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar jointly call on both Hamas and Israel to finalize the agreement embodying the principles outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024,” the statement said on Saturday.
“These principles brought the demands of all parties together in a deal that serves multiple interests and will bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families.” Said the statement that added that the deal offers a roadmap for a permanent ceasefire and ending the crisis.
In a speech Friday, Joe Biden outlined a three-phase proposal that starts with a six-week complete ceasefire that would see Israeli forces withdraw from all populated areas of Gaza.
The joint statement comes as Cairo is gearing up to host a new round of Egyptian-American-Israeli talks on Sunday to discuss the reopening of the Rafah border crossing according to a high-level Egyptian source told Al-Qahera News TV channel on Saturday
The statement came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held separate calls with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
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