US, European allies push for Gaza ceasefire, hostage release

“All parties must shoulder their responsibilities,” the joint statement said, calling for “unrestricted delivery and distribution of aid” to Palestinian civilians trapped in the Gaza Strip, trapped by Israeli military aggression.

The Palestinian Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters, says some 40,000 Palestinians have been killed so far and at least 92,000 others have been wounded.

On Thursday, the US, Egypt and Qatar called for the resumption of negotiations on a possible ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas in its more than 300-day war between Israel and the Iran-backed militia.

The three nations called on both sides to resume “urgent discussion” on Aug. 15 in Doha or Cairo, with the aim of “closing all remaining gaps and starting implementation of the agreement without further delay,” the trio said last week.

Monday’s joint statement comes as Israeli intelligence reports that Iran could attack Israel within days, as urgency grows and fears of a widening Middle East war grow over Iranian threats to attack Israel over the assassinations of Tehran’s proxy leaders in Lebanon and Iran.

“We support the joint call by President Biden, President Sisi of Egypt and Amir Tamim of Qatar to resume negotiations later this week with the aim of concluding the agreement as soon as possible, and we emphasize that there is no more time to waste,” Monday’s joint statement read.

The three-phase cease-fire deal, first detailed in late May by President Joe Biden, has been endorsed by the United Nations. It seeks an initial six-week cease-fire in the war that began on Oct. 7 after Hamas led a bloody and relentless assault on Israel that killed 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage.

These prospects have been threatened by the recent assassinations of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr on July 30 in Lebanon and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran the following day. Hezbollah has been attacking Israel since the beginning of the war in solidarity with Hamas.

Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel, but has also said establishing a ceasefire in Gaza is a priority, in addition to getting retaliation.

In their Monday statement, the five countries stood firm in support of “Israel’s defense against Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iranian-backed terrorist groups.”

“We call on Iran to abandon its continued threats of a military attack on Israel and discuss the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack occur.”