Qatar and Egypt have pledged to intensify their joint mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, denouncing attempts to undermine their collaboration as they work to address the region’s worsening humanitarian crisis.

In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the two nations reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated peace initiatives alongside the United States.

The statement outlined their goals: ending Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe, protecting civilians, de-escalating hostilities, and achieving a comprehensive, lasting ceasefire. The Israeli military offensive, ongoing since October 2023, has killed over 52,600 people, mostly women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities and international agencies. Israel’s closure of Gaza’s border crossings on March 2 has choked off supplies of food, medicine, and aid, leaving many residents surviving on one meal every two to three days, per UNRWA reports.

Qatar and Egypt condemned efforts to sow discord through “doubt, distortion, or media escalation,” vowing not to be distracted by “internal dynamics or secondary agendas” that neglect Palestinian interests. Their mediation is part of a broader international push to tackle the conflict’s complexities and deliver relief.

The statement also referenced recent legal developments, including the International Criminal Court’s November 2024 arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as Israel’s pending genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

The two nations called for sustained global cooperation to halt the violence, provide urgent humanitarian aid, and secure lasting peace for Gaza’s population. (ILKHA)