Bloomberg: Cairo to Play Pivotal Role in Engineering Israel, Hamas Ceasefire

On Tuesday, Bloomberg columnist Bobby Ghosh praised Cairo's role in the latest crisis in Palestine and its role in paving the way to propose a ceasefire deal between Israeli and Palestine.

Entitled "Gaza Is a Reminder of Egypt’s Relevance to the Middle East," Ghosh said: "Cairo will play the pivotal role in engineering a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas."

The author commented on the earliest American-Israeli contacts related to the worsening crisis saying: "President Joe Biden “expressed his support for a cease-fire” in a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The president’s passive phraseology betrays his reluctance to engage in the process. He isn’t offering to broker a truce, or even proposing a road map toward one."

He continued: "Hours after the two men spoke on Monday, Israeli air force jets carried out dozens of strikes against targets in Gaza. The leadership of Hamas ordered another volley of rockets into Israel."

Next, the columnist set a comparison between Biden and Sisi' response to the crisis. He highlighted: "With Gaza blockaded on three sides by Israel, Egypt is its only physical connection to the outside world. This gives Egypt what none of the other players in the Middle East has: direct relations with both Israel and Hamas. This is crucial to its chances of mediating the current conflict."

Next, he mentioned President Sisi's efforts in backing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza such as ordering opening the Rafah crossing, pledging $500 million for Gaza reconstruction, and initiated ceasefire proposal contacts.

The writer concluded: "Whenever Israel and Hamas reach that stage, it will be to Egypt that they turn for mediation. It will be a moment for Sisi to savor, while Joe Biden expresses his “support” from the sidelines."