Egypt, Qatar and US: It is Time to Release Hostages, Begin Gaza Ceasefire Talks

Egypt, Qatar and the United States stressed that it is time to release the hostages and detainees, and to start a ceasefire in Gaza, stressing that the way is paved to achieve this result, save lives, provide relief to the people of Gaza, and calm regional tensions.

زThis came in a joint statement between the State of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States issued, Friday, in Doha.

“Over the past 48 hours in Doha, senior officials from our governments have engaged in intensive talks as mediators with the aim of concluding a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and releasing the hostages and detainees,” the joint statement said, stressing that those talks were serious and constructive and were held in a positive atmosphere.

He added that the United States presented earlier today - with the support of the State of Qatar and the Arab Republic of Egypt to both parties in Doha - a proposal that reduces the gaps between the two parties and is in line with the principles set by US President Joe Biden on May 31, 2024 and Security Council Resolution 2735.

He stressed that this proposal builds on the points of agreement achieved – over the past week – and fills the remaining gaps in a way that allows for the rapid implementation of the agreement.

Over the coming days, technical teams will continue to work on details of implementation, including arrangements for the implementation of the comprehensive humanitarian particles of the agreement, as well as those related to hostages and detainees.

Egypt, Qatar and the United States explained that “senior officials from our governments” will meet – once again – in Cairo before the end of next week, hoping to reach an agreement on the terms put forward today.

The statement recalled what the leaders of the three countries announced last week that “there is no longer time to waste and no excuses that can be accepted from any party that justify further delay. It is time to release the hostages and detainees, start a ceasefire, and implement this agreement.”

Egypt, Qatar and the United States concluded the statement by saying: Now; the road is paved to achieve this result, save lives, provide relief to the people of Gaza, and ease regional tensions.