Israel’s rejection of ceasefire proposals stalls peace efforts: Egypt to Germany

CAIRO – 24 August 2025: Egypt has briefed Germany on developments in Gaza ceasefire talks, including the latest proposal put forward by the mediators, warning of the consequences of Israel’s rejection of truce initiatives.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul spoke via phone on Sunday. Abdelatty stressed the critical need for Israel to respond positively to the proposal, which has been accepted by Hamas.

The Egyptian foreign minister underlined the importance of implementing the proposal’s elements, as a necessary step to address the crisis, alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, and ensure sufficient humanitarian aid reaches the population.

Abdelatty warned that Israel’s rejection of ceasefire proposals undermines both regional and international efforts toward peace and stability.

 

Both ministers underlined the grave risks posed by Israel’s expansion of military operations and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Abdelatty warned that the continued Israeli military escalation in the strip will only further inflame an already volatile situation

Famine Grips Gaza

The Egyptian foreign minister shared his deep concern over escalating reports pointing to famine in Gaza.

He emphasized the urgent need for the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in putting an end to Israel’s blatant violations and crimes.

Abdelatty stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, is bound under international law to ensure the delivery of humanitarian and medical supplies.

The Egyptian foreign minister discussed with his German counterpart the preparations underway for Egypt to host an international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, to be convened once a ceasefire agreement is reached.

Wadephul praised Egypt’s plans to host such conference and confirmed Germany’s interest in participating.

The German foreign minister also expressed appreciation for Egypt’s intensive efforts to broker a ceasefire and facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Israel has killed nearly 63,000 people in strikes on Gaza in less than two years of war, displaced the majority of the population, targeted hospitals and basic infrastructure, and triggered a deepening humanitarian crisis that has amounted to famine in many areas.

As of Sunday, 289 people, 115 of them children, have lost their lives to starvation and malnutrition, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

A UN-backed food security analysis released on Friday officially confirmed that famine is underway in Gaza, home to 2.2 million people, marking the first such declaration since the onset of the war.

 

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, more than 500,000 people are currently facing famine conditions, with the crisis expected to spread across other areas of the strip in the coming weeks.

Arab nations and other world leaders, including in Europe, have expressed their deep concern over the famine reported by the IPC. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the development as a "failure of humanity."

Israel Pounds Gaza City

Egypt and Qatar, the Arab mediators in Gaza talks, have put forward a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire to halt the bloodshed, allow aid delivery, and facilitate the release of half of the nearly 50 captives, including around 20 living ones, still held by Hamas.

Hamas approved the proposal last week. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he approved the resumption of ceasefire negotiations, he greenlighted a military operation to seize Gaza City, home to almost half of Gaza’s population, displace its residents and reoccupy the entire enclave.

Despite global condemnation, including from Israel’s closest Western allies, Israeli forces have already launched airstrikes on Gaza City as part of the new so-called Gideon’s Chariots II operation. The fresh attacks have killed dozens of Palestinians and caused thousands to flee their homes in terror.

Netanyahu said “immediate” negotiations will seek to secure the release of all captives and end the war “on terms acceptable to Israel.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened on Friday that “soon, the gates of hell will open” in Gaza City if Hamas refuses to accept Israel’s conditions for ending the war, chiefly, the release of all captives and the group’s disarmament.

“If they do not agree, Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun,” Katz said in a social media post, referencing cities that have been devastated by Israeli military operations and largely depopulated.