Washington: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed gratitude to Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for Egypt's significant contribution in brokering a cease-fire in Gaza during a recent phone conversation.

According to Anadolu Agency, the US State Department highlighted Blinken's appreciation for Egypt's role as a mediator in halting the conflict, securing hostage releases, and facilitating essential humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. Spokesman Matthew Miller articulated this in a statement released late Thursday.

The dialogue between Blinken and Abdelatty also encompassed discussions on future measures to sustain peace and security in the region. The statement emphasized continued collaboration with Egypt on humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, and efforts to find peaceful resolutions in Sudan.

Qatar played a role by announcing a cease-fire agreement on Wednesday evening, aimed at ending over 15 months of severe Israeli assaults on the Gaza Strip. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani outlined a three-phase deal set to commence on Sunday.

The agreement involves a prisoner exchange and a commitment to enduring calm, with aspirations for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of nearly 46,800 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and injured over 110,000 since October 7, 2023, as reported by local health authorities.

The ongoing war has left over 11,000 people missing and has caused significant destruction, leading to a humanitarian crisis that has particularly affected elderly people and children. This situation is considered one of the most severe humanitarian disasters globally.