Italian FM praises Egypt's mediation efforts to reach ceasefire in Gaza

CAIRO – 10 May 2024: Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani praised Egypt's mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

He said that Egypt and Qatar are working very well in mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire. “This will not be easy, but there is a need to convince Israel and Hamas to change their position” Tajani added

He stressed the need to reach a ceasefire to stop the military operation on Rafah, release the Israeli hostages, and allow the delivery of food aid.

He stressed the need to find a way to implement the two-state solution, confirming that “this should be the ultimate goal.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke, Thursday with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry according to the US State Department.

Blinken told the Egyptian Minister that the United States does not support a major military operation in Rafah and that it rejects any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

US State Department also said Minister Blinken discussed with his Egyptian counterpart diplomatic efforts to prevent the spreading of the conflict in Gaza.

Blinken expressed his gratitude for Egypt’s ongoing efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire that secures the release of hostages.

The Secretary also expressed the United States’ support for the reopening of the Rafah crossing and the continued flow of urgently needed humanitarian assistance.