Egypt Threatens to Withdraw from Ceasefire Talks
Egypt has threatened to withdraw as a mediator in ongoing Gaza ceasefire negotiations. The threat follows a report by CNN claiming that Egyptian intelligence had altered the terms of a ceasefire proposal, causing anger and recrimination among U.S., Israeli, and Qatari officials, and impeding the talks.
Egyptian Intelligence Allegedly Altered Proposal
According to CNN sources, Egyptian intelligence changed the terms of a ceasefire proposal that Israel had previously agreed to. When Hamas announced its acceptance of the peace agreement on May 6, it was not the proposal that fellow mediators from the U.S. and Qatar believed had been presented to Hamas for review.
Egypt Defends Mediation Efforts
In response to the allegations, Egypt’s State Information Service head, Diaa Rashwan, issued a statement defending Egypt’s mediation efforts. He emphasized that Cairo’s participation was based on repeated requests from Israel and the U.S. Rashwan also accused unnamed parties of criticizing Egyptian and Qatari mediators for perceived bias.
Tensions between Egypt and Israel
The incident has escalated tensions between Egypt and Israel. Since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas on October 7, Egypt has expressed concern that Israel’s military operation in the southern Gaza Strip could lead to refugees crossing the border into Egypt, prompting Egypt to enhance security along the border.
The outcome of the ceasefire negotiations remains uncertain, with Egypt’s threat to withdraw further complicating the situation and raising questions about the future of the mediation process.
