CAIRO (AA)
Egypt has called on Palestinian factions and Israel to observe a new ceasefire and resume their indirect talks for reaching a durable truce deal in the Gaza Strip.
"Egypt calls on the concerned parties to accept an indefinite ceasefire and resume the indirect negotiations in Cairo for reaching an agreement on the tabled issues…," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a Saturday statement.
The call came shortly after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said that he agreed with Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to invite negotiators to resume their indirect talks for reaching a long-term ceasefire.
A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip collapsed on Tuesday, bringing Egypt-hosted talks to a halt.
While Israel accused Palestinian resistance factions of breaking the ceasefire with a rocket barrage, Hamas accused Israel of attempting to derail the truce talks in Cairo.
At least 2094 Palestinians have been killed – the vast majority of them civilians – and more than 10,503 injured in relentless Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since July 7.
Over the same period, at least 68 Israelis – 64 soldiers and four civilians – have been killed, according to Israeli figures.
Since 2007, the Gaza Strip has reeled under a crippling Israeli blockade that has taken an enormous toll on the coastal territory's economy and played havoc with residents' livelihoods.
By Mohamed Wali
www.aa.com.tr/en
