Lebanon backs US-Egypt-Qatar call for cease-fire in Gaza

BEIRUT

Lebanon declared on Friday its support for the joint initiative of the US, Egypt, and Qatar aimed at establishing a cease-fire in Gaza.

During a press conference in the capital Beirut, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said that “the Lebanese government supports the joint statement issued by US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.”

The minister praised the efforts of the three leaders and their respective countries in establishing a "framework agreement."

“The Lebanese government values the importance of concluding a cease-fire agreement and the release of hostages based on the principles set forth by President Biden and the UN Security Council Resolution 2735,” said Habib.

On Thursday evening, leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and the US called on Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas to resume negotiations in Doha or Cairo on Wednesday or Thursday.

This call follows the assassination of Hamas’ political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which has negatively impacted the resumption of negotiations between the two sides.

For months, Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been leading indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but no agreement has been reached due to Israel’s refusal to meet Hamas’ demands to end the war, withdraw troops from Gaza, and allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.

Israel has continued a devastating military offensive in the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Nearly 39,700 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 91,700 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi in Ankara