Egypt announced on Tuesday a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinian factions to start at 7pm.
“In order to preserve the lives of innocent people and prevent bloodshed, and in accordance with the Egyptian Initiative of 2014 and the Cairo 2012 memorandums of understanding, Egypt has invited the Israeli and Palestinian sides to a comprehensive and mutual ceasefire with the opening of the crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel to allow a speedy entry of humanitarian aid and relief, reconstruction supplies and fishing permissions from six nautical miles,” said Foreign Minister Sameh Shokry in a press statement. “Indirect negotiations over other topics are to start in a month.”
“As both sides accepted the ceasefire, it shall start at 7pm Cairo time on 26 August 2014,” he added.
He continued: “Egypt reiterates its firm commitment that is dictated by history and geography and by its national and regional responsibilities to achieving the aspirations of the Palestinian people, supporting their leadership and promoting peace and stability in the region through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in order to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of all its peoples.”
Egypt also praised the efforts made by the United States in that regard.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
