Egypt's Diplomatic Push: Persuading Hamas to Embrace Peace

In a significant diplomatic effort, Egypt's foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, announced on Thursday that Cairo is actively collaborating with Qatar and Turkey to persuade Hamas to accept U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan aimed at resolving the ongoing war in Gaza. This nearly two-year conflict has claimed thousands of lives, and Abdelatty emphasized that further escalation could occur if Hamas rejects the proposal.

Addressing the French Institute of International Relations in Paris, Abdelatty highlighted the necessity for Hamas to disarm, warning against providing Israel with excuses to continue its offensive. The situation in Gaza, he declared, had reached a critical point, describing the Israeli actions as "beyond revenge" and "ethnic cleansing in motion."

The Trump administration recently released a 20-point peace plan calling for a ceasefire, a hostage exchange, and the establishment of a transitional government. Although Egypt is supportive of the proposal, Abdelatty stressed the need for further discussions on governance and security measures to ensure the plan's success.

(With inputs from agencies.)