Gaza Impasse Persists as Cairo Peace Summit Concludes: Key Takeaways

Arab Leaders Demand an End to Decades-Long Cycle of Violence, Urge Israeli-Palestinian Peace

At a recent summit in Cairo, Arab leaders expressed their condemnation of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza. European representatives echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to protect civilians. However, the absence of Israel and senior U.S. officials hindered any potential agreement to contain the violence.

The meeting, convened and hosted by Egypt, aimed to encourage peace and reinvigorate efforts to resolve the long-standing Palestinian statehood issue. Despite these intentions, no joint statement was reached at the end of the meeting, which took place two weeks into a conflict that has resulted in thousands of casualties and a dire humanitarian crisis in the blockaded Gaza enclave.

Diplomats attending the summit were not optimistic about achieving a breakthrough. Israel was preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza, intent on eliminating the militant Palestinian group Hamas, responsible for an attack on Israeli towns in early October that claimed the lives of 1,400 people.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s air and missile strikes have killed at least 4,385 Palestinians since the start of the conflict. While Arab and Muslim states demanded an immediate end to Israel’s offensive, Western countries focused on more modest goals such as providing humanitarian relief for civilians.

King Abdullah of Jordan criticized the global silence surrounding Israel’s attacks, which have resulted in the deaths of thousands in Hamas-ruled Gaza and left over a million people homeless. He highlighted the need for an even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and expressed outrage and grief over the violence inflicted upon innocent civilians in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reaffirmed that Palestinians would not be displaced or forced off their land, stating, “We won’t leave, we won’t leave.”

France called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza, which could potentially lead to a ceasefire. Britain and Germany urged Israel’s military to exercise restraint, while Italy emphasized the importance of avoiding further escalation.

The United States, a key ally of Israel and a major player in previous peace negotiations, was only represented by its Cairo charge d’affaires, who did not address the meeting publicly.

Given the lack of agreement on various issues, the primary aim of the summit, according to European Council President Charles Michel, was to foster dialogue and understanding among participating nations. He acknowledged the need for increased collaboration concerning the humanitarian situation, preventing regional escalation, and advancing the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis.

The Israeli government has vowed to eradicate the Iranian-backed Hamas militant group following the shocking attack on October 7, the deadliest act of Palestinian aggression in Israel’s 75-year history. Israel claims to have advised Palestinians to relocate southward within Gaza to protect their safety, although the coastal strip is only 45 km (28 miles) long, and Israeli airstrikes have impacted the southern region as well.

The summit aimed to address the potential threat of a wider regional conflict. However, due to sensitivities surrounding calls for a ceasefire, discussions on Hamas’ attack, and Israel’s right to self-defense, a public agreement was difficult to reach.

Arab states fear that the Israeli offensive might result in the permanent displacement of Gaza residents, potentially pushing them into neighboring countries, similar to what occurred during the 1948 war following Israel’s establishment.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed opposition to the displacement of Palestinians into the largely desert Sinai region of Egypt. He emphasized that the only solution to the conflict was the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Egypt is concerned about the security implications near its border with Gaza in northeastern Sinai. The region has experienced an Islamist insurgency since 2013, which has mostly been suppressed.

Jordan, home to a significant number of Palestinian refugees and their descendants, is apprehensive that a wider conflict could provide Israel with an opportunity to forcibly expel Palestinians en masse from the West Bank.

King Abdullah stressed that forced displacement is considered a war crime under international law and a red line for all nations.

Prior to the summit’s opening, trucks carrying humanitarian aid began entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing. Egypt has been working to send relief supplies to Gaza through this access point, as it is the only one not controlled by Israel.

Disclaimer: This article has been adapted from an original Reuters report and may not completely reflect the original content or viewpoint.

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