Palestinian and Egyptian sources reported that the ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt in Cairo, have ended without result.
Hamas had earlier announced that, at Egypt’s invitation, it sent a delegation to Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Israel through mediators including Qatar and Egypt.
“We’re calling for Muslims. Have mercy on us. We’re calling for religious scholars, Muslims here are dying. Please have mercy on us. We’ve been displaced a billion (many) times and we don’t know where to go. Ask everyone here, they’ll tell you they don’t know where to go. People have been thrown in the streets. For God’s sake Muslims,” said Amer Al-Reefy, a displaced Palestinian.
Meanwhile, the European Union announced a three-year aid package worth 1.6 billion euros to support the Palestinian Authority.
Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy chief, said: “Today, the EU announced a new multi-annual support package for Palestine worth 1.6 billion euros over the next two years. But (EU) Commissioner (Dubravka) Suica will elaborate on that. The European Union will invest in essential infrastructure, deliver humanitarian aid, and support refugees.”
Mohammad Mustafa, the Palestinian Prime Minister, stated: “We came here not only to reaffirm our commitment to peace and reform but to build a strategic partnership with the EU within the framework of the new pact for the Mediterranean and to advance the EU recovery program with the Palestinian Authority and to build a common pathway forward for peace.”
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France also expressed hope that France’s potential decision to officially recognize Palestine would encourage other countries to take similar steps. Macron also urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to distance himself from Hamas and initiate political reforms within Palestinian institutions.
