Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called on the US to use its influence over Israel to prevent further bloodshed in Gaza.
Speaking to CNBC's Dan Murphy on Sunday at a meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he said: “On the whole, only the United States has the ability to influence circumstances and to influence all parties involved.” motivate to find the point of convergence, and to be able to break the cycle of violence.”
His words echoed other Arab leaders at the WEF meeting, who believe ending the war in Gaza is the responsibility of the United States. Shoukry urged Washington to “leverage their ability to provide incentives, but also to indicate the consequences of the lack of performance or progress in cessation of hostilities.”
Hamas is reportedly reviewing Israel's latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza and a delegation from the group will visit Cairo on Monday for talks, a Hamas official who spoke to Reuters said.
Palestinians walk through a street filled with rubble from buildings destroyed by Israeli attacks to return to their homes as the extent of the destruction comes to light following the Israeli army's withdrawal from some areas, including Al- Mecusi, in Gaza City, Gaza on April 24, 2024.
Dawoud Abo Alkas | Anadolu | Getty Images
The new proposal, led by Egypt, aims to halt a possible attack on Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than a million people are sheltering.
Israel has been threatening to enter the city on the Egyptian border for weeks, against warnings from allies who have called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the attack. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has also called on the United States to stop the attack on Rafah.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Saudi Arabia on Monday en route from China to Jordan and Israel, where he is expected to stay.discuss the ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of hostages and how it is Hamas that stands between the Palestinian people and a ceasefire.”
Israel has cut off food and water supplies to the Gaza Strip, home to about 2.3 million people, after the October 7 Hamas-led terror attacks that killed about 1,200 people and took another 253 hostage in Israel. According to the Hamas-led health ministry there, subsequent Israeli aerial bombardments and land invasions have killed more than 34,000 people in Gaza.
