Shoukry to Abu Mazen: Cairo Will Continue Its Efforts to Revive Peace Process

On Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry landed in Ramallah in an effort to build on the recent Cairo-brokered ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez said Shoukry, who arrived from Amman, was received by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Shoukry’s visit is part of Egypt’s efforts to build on the ceasefire and discuss means of re-engagement in the negotiation path between Israel and Palestinian factions towards the revival of the peace process leading up to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, Hafez stated.

The foreign minister's visit is focused on pinpointing the necessary measures to stabilize the situation in Palestine, a permanent de-escalation in the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and creating a climate conducive to the urgent revival of peace negotiations.

Shoukry underscored the necessity of maintaining Jerusalem’s identity over the city’s holy sites and preventing repeated assaults on the city.

He said violence in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah district was a breach of international law, adding that such practices have led to escalations and military action between Israel and Hamas.

The visit will also focus on continued coordination on developments in Palestine and efforts for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and developmental support for the Palestinian territories, the spokesman said.

The foreign minister's visit is focused on pinpointing the necessary measures to stabilize the situation in Palestine, a permanent de-escalation in the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and creating a climate conducive to the urgent revival of peace negotiations.

Shoukry underscored the necessity of maintaining Jerusalem’s identity through the Hashemite custodianship over the city’s holy sites and preventing repeated assaults on the city.

He said violence in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah district was a breach of international law, adding that such practices have led to escalations and military action between Israel and Hamas.

Shoukry’s visit to Ramallah comes hours after he had discussed with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman stabilizing a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions and creating a climate conducive to the urgent revival of the peace negotiations to reach a comprehensive political settlement for the Palestinian crisis.