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OPINION MARCH 29, 2024 | The Indian Eye 12

Egypt’s Role in

De-escalating the Israel-Hamas

War: An Assessment

Egypt had worked in cooperation with Arab countries and also, the US to de-escalate

the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Egypt actively worked with Qatar and the US to

de-escalate the conflict and increase the flow of aid to the Palestinians

ANUSHKA

he outbreak of the Isra-
el-Hamas War has resulted in
Twidespread destruction in the
Gaza Strip and threatens regional
stability. The Hamas attack has rup-
tured the ongoing ‘normalisation’
efforts between Israel and the Arab
countries that came into existence
with the signing of the Abraham Ac-
cords in 2020. The ongoing war has
also negatively impacted the prospect
of regional economic security. In this
context, Egypt has taken several ini-
tiatives to protect its national security,
resolve the issue of refugees, prevent
the rise of extremism in its bordering
region and consolidate its position as
a regional leader. This paper aims to
assess Egypt’s motivations to de-esca-
late the tensions between Israel and
Hamas and the initiatives it has taken
in this pursuit.

MOTIVATIONS FOR EGYPT TO Egypt is the only country that shares a land border with both Israel and the Gaza Strip. Therefore, it also faces the direct impact of
DE-ESCALATE the ongoing Gaza war on national security and economic and political stability (File photo)
THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
gypt is the only country that Egypt under President al-Sisi played the Sinai Peninsula from the Gaza for the resolution of the Gaza War.
shares a land border with both a proactive role in protecting the na- War, on October 21, 2023, Egypt It included the release of Israeli hos-
EIsrael and the Gaza Strip. tional security and internal stability of held a Cairo Peace Summit in which tages and Palestinian prisoners, fol-
Therefore, it also faces the direct the country. The ongoing war is also it proposed a peace process between lowed by Egypt-sponsored ‘Palestin-
impact of the ongoing Gaza war on an opportunity for Egypt under Pres- Hamas and Israel through military ian national talk’ aimed at ending the
national security and economic and ident al-Sisi to revive its stature as a de-escalation, humanitarian aid, and division between Palestinian factions
political stability. The war posed a regional leader. a permanent ceasefire. To meet the (Hamas and the Palestinian Authori-
significant challenge to the already proposed goals, Egypt sought coop- ty). The final phase proposed a com-
fragile Egyptian economy and a new EGYPT’S INITIATIVES TO DE- eration from the 34 participants in- prehensive ceasefire and withdrawal
security risk in the Sinai Peninsula. ESCALATE THE GAZA WAR cluding UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, of Israeli troops from the enclave to
Besides, there is a threat of the rise US, and Qatar along with France, facilitate the return of Palestinians
of extremism. Egypt’s government gypt had taken the following Germany, the United Kingdom, Ita- back to their home. However, the
has increased the deployment of mil- initiatives to mediate between ly, and South Africa along with the three-stage plan was dead on arrival
itary and security forces in the Sinai EIsrael and Hamas to bring United Nations. because Hamas and Islamic Jihad
Peninsula to tackle the rising threats peace and stability to the region: Three-Stage Plan: Egypt later reportedly rejected the Egyptian pro-
from Islamist militants, including the Cairo Peace Summit: Owing to on December 24, 2023, proposed an posal, fearing loss of control over the
Islamic State and the Islamic Jihad. the security threats to its border in initiative called the Three-Stage Plan Continued on next page... >>

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