CAIRO (AP) – 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.
It’s the latest instance in which Egypt has served as a mediator between Israel and Gaza’s 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 on 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 U.S. program 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-Sissi’s 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 government’s human rights record under el-Sissi.