Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed over the phone with US President Joe Biden efforts to achieve a ceasefire and end hostilities between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip.
In the first phone call between the two leaders, they agreed that their teams would stay in constant communication toward that end and the two leaders would stay closely in touch.
Egyptian officials indicated that Cairo’s mediation between the two sides resulted in an agreement on the mutual cessation of the fighting.
Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire heightened on Thursday after Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek de-escalation.
Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza aiming to destroy Hamas structures and deter any future attacks.
The Egyptian presidency announced that the two leaders discussed steps to end fighting in the Palestinian territories.
"It was agreed by the two sides during the call to continue regular consultation and exchanges of points of view and to reinforce mutual fruitful coordination between responsible agencies from the two countries during the coming period,” read the statement, according to Reuters.
Sisi affirmed Egypt’s unwavering stance highlighting the need for a thorough and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause.
The statement noted that the coordination between the two presidents should seek to contain the escalation of the situation in Palestine and discuss the issues of mutual concern on the bilateral, regional and international levels.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki expressed great optimism about the reports indicating moves towards a ceasefire, saying they are “encouraging.”
The White House believes the Israelis have achieved significant military objectives that they laid out to achieve targeting Hamas, and Biden feels that “they [Israelis] are in a position to start winding their operation down.”
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Psaki indicated that through quiet and intensive diplomacy, the conflict came to an end, noting that the 2014 conflict lasted for 51 days.
“But our approach here and our strategic approach here is to continue to communicate directly, stay closely interlocked with the Israelis, with partners on the ground to do everything we can to bring an end to the conflict,” said the secretary.
Psaki confirmed that the US administration held more than 80 engagements with senior leaders in Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and across the region, either in person or by phone.
“The role of the United States and the relationships with countries on the ground to conduct our efforts quietly and through diplomatic channels.”
