CAIRO, Jan 28 (MENA) - Deputy Director General of the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies (ECSS) Mohamed Ibrahim Eldawiry on Tuesday underscored Egypt's pivotal role in brokering the recent Gaza ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners, return of the displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza Strip, delivering humanitarian aid and reopening Rafah Border Crossing.

Eldawiry attributed the aforementioned achievements to Egypt’s ongoing great efforts, affirming the keenness of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on following up on progress realized in this regard.

The deputy head of the ECSS was addressing a symposium organized by the center on the sidelines of the 56th session of Cairo International Book Fair, under the title "A Changing Middle East: Towards Building a New Strategy".

"Egypt has been involved in the Palestinian cause since 1948, spanning over seven decades. Throughout this extended period, the Palestinian issue has remained at the top of Egypt’s policy priorities,” Eldawiry said.

He highlighted the volatile situation on Egypt's borders from all strategic directions except the northern one, thanks to Egyptian efforts that succeeded in transforming the Mediterranean from a conflict zone into a region of cooperation and investment.

Eldawiry said that Egypt shares a border with the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east, Libya to the west, and Sudan to the south, with Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) posing an additional challenge.

The recent statements about plans to displace Palestinians were totally rejected by Egypt at all levels, including the official level through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as from the Parliament, researchers and media, Eldawiry said.

The current ceasefire agreement was built upon the proposals presented by Egypt in December 2023, Eldawiry said, adding that Egypt was the first country to put forward detailed proposal entailing three phases to resolve the Gaza crisis.

Eldawiry underscored the necessity of securing Sinai, ensuring the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and re-establish red lines, in particular those related to the displacement plan. (MENA)

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