: Mediating in Gaza conflict, Egypt seeks broader influence #IndiaNEWS #International Cairo: Egypt is trying to prove itself to the world once again as an indispensable mediator as it rushes to broker

Mediating in Gaza conflict, Egypt seeks broader influence #IndiaNEWS #International
Cairo: Egypt is trying to prove itself to the world once again as an indispensable mediator as it rushes to broker a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, the fourth in just over a decade.
Its the latest instance in which Egypt has served as a mediator between Israel and Gazas ruling militant Hamas group. Egypt borders both Israel and the Gaza Strip, and has been a key player since Israel withdrew troops from Gaza in 2005 and Hamas seized the territory in 2007.
With the latest war in its 11th day Thursday, Egypt was working to finalize a cease-fire deal that could take effect as soon as the early hours of Friday, an Egyptian intelligence official said. “By virtue of geography and its ties to all parties, Egypt is unique in this matter,??? said Michael Hanna, the US programme director at the International Crisis Group, “And of course, it seeks to demonstrate its regional relevance and influence to all parties concerned, including the United States. ???
Successful Egyptian mediation could help improve the strained ties between President Abdel Fattah el-Sissis government and the Biden administration. Four months after his election, President Joe Biden still has not spoken with the Egyptian leader, who forged close ties with former President Donald Trump. Biden has raised concern over the Egyptian governments human rights record under el-Sissi.
A diplomatic win could also gain Egypt some regional prestige in its rivalries, including with Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE last year moved to establish ties with Israel. Egypt fought four wars with Israel between 1948 to 1973. The two former enemies normalised ties in 1979, and since then have increasingly cooperated on security issues. Israel has praised el-Sissis government for its help, and in turn allowed Egyptian forces greater freedom near the border to fight militants in Sinai.
Egypts ties with Hamas have at times hung by a thread. Egypt, along with Israel, continues to enforce a blockade that has devastated the Gazan economy.
Hamas is the militant Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a political Islamic movement banned in Egypt, and Egypts pro-government media often depict Hamas as a threat. Still, Egypt has repeatedly been an intermediator for Hamas, working out cease-fires in the previous three Hamas-Israel conflicts and easing other crises with Israel.
Egypt also walks a careful line with its own citizens, who deeply oppose Israels policies toward the Palestinians. As Egyptian and Israeli officials quietly collaborate on security, the government rarely is strongly critical of Israel in public — though it gives free rein to prominent personalities aligned with the government to denounce Israel or portray it as the enemy in the media.

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