Cairo: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Monday engaged in discussions with US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff concerning efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to Anadolu Agency, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of resuming the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, viewing these steps as essential to sustaining peace and aligning with President Donald Trump's vision for comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Abdelatty highlighted Egypt's active role in formulating a new Gaza deal, which proposes a 60-day ceasefire in return for the release of certain Israeli hostages and the expedited delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. During a phone conversation with Witkoff, he also stressed the critical need for the unobstructed flow of humanitarian assistance into the conflict-ridden area.

He further expressed Egypt's intention to organize an international conference for Gaza's reconstruction, in partnership with the Palestinian government and the UN, contingent upon the achievement of a ceasefire agreement.

On January 19, Egypt, along with Qatar and the US, brokered a three-phased ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Nonetheless, this agreement collapsed following the resumption of Israeli attacks on March 18.

Despite international pleas for a ceasefire, the Israeli military has continued its offensive against Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 56,500 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, since October 2023. In response to the situation, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.