Biden and Egypt's el-Sisi speak about 'final stage' of negotiations
Efforts continue around the region to prevent the war from becoming a wider conflict after the killings last week of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran.
Inside Gaza, the only corridor for humanitarian aid to enter the south has been shut down because of fighting in the area. The Palestinian territory faces a severe humanitarian crisis as its Health Ministry says the death toll in the war approaches 40,000.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday about their hopes of calming tensions in the Middle East through a cease-fire and hostage release deal.
In a statement, the White House said negotiations "have now reached a final stage," and that Biden and El-Sisi "agreed on the urgency of bringing the process to closure as soon as possible."
Blinken urged Hamas's newly appointed political chief Yahya Sinwar to accept a Gaza ceasefire. "He has been and remains the primary decider when it comes to concluding the ceasefire. And so I think this only underscores the fact that it is really on him to decide whether to move forward with a ceasefire that manifestly will help so many Palestinians in desperate need," Blinken told reporters.
Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty on Tuesday told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the phone that efforts are being exerted to reduce tensions in the Middle East amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.
Abdelatty also warned against the risks of an expanded conflict that could destabilize the region and its security, according to a statement released by the Egyptian foreign ministry.
The Egyptian minister confirmed during his call that Egypt is collaborating with China as well as regional and international leaders to "stop the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip."
He also pointed out that Israel’s policy of "political assassinations and violations of states’ sovereignty has worsened the crisis and significantly increased regional tension."
