US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Cairo for a crucial meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. They discussed ways to enhance bilateral strategic partnership and coordinate on regional issues, particularly the crisis in Gaza.
Prior to the meeting, Blinken also engaged in talks with Arab foreign ministers from Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). These discussions are of great significance, involving key countries in the region.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have complex relations with Israel. While Qatar has hosted Israeli delegations, Saudi Arabia’s normalization efforts have faced setbacks due to recent events in Gaza.
Egypt has been actively involved in addressing the crisis in Gaza since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Despite its significant contributions, Egypt’s role has not always been fully acknowledged.
Meanwhile, Qatar has been taking a dominant stance in hostage negotiations, raising questions about the effectiveness of its approach. In contrast, Egypt has a historical connection to Gaza and is motivated to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict.
Unclear Future in Gaza
The discussions in Egypt aim to break the deadlock in hostage negotiations and ceasefire talks. Concerns also linger about an Israeli operation in Rafah, in southern Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains uncertain. Israel has reduced its military operations, focusing on targeted raids. Recent operations have resulted in the apprehension of suspected terrorists and the elimination of threats in various areas of Gaza.
