Polish FM discusses Gaza ceasefire efforts with Egyptian counterpart
Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski spoke with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty about initiatives aimed at encouraging the resolution of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Polish foreign ministry said on Wednesday.
The talks took place amid renewed tension in Gaza following Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 50 people and wounded around 200 on Tuesday evening, according to Hamas-controlled civil defence, cited by the Times of Israel. Israel said the strikes were a response to Hamas violating the ceasefire.
"Deputy PM, FM Radoslaw Sikorski held talks today with Egypt's FM, Badr Abdelatty. The discussion focused on bilateral relations, exchange of support within international organizations, regional issues - efforts to resolve the conflict in the Gaza Strip," the ministry wrote on the X platform.
The truce, in place since October 10, includes the return of the bodies of hostages killed in captivity. Hamas has so far handed over 15 bodies and is expected to return 13 more. Israeli authorities have accused the group of delaying the process, while Hamas claims technical difficulties in the war-torn Gaza Strip. Egyptian experts and Red Cross personnel are assisting in the recovery efforts.
The situation escalated further after a series of Israeli strikes on October 19, described as the most serious clashes since the fragile ceasefire was agreed. Following the attacks, US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel, urging the continuation of the truce and the implementation of the next stages of the agreement, seen as a key success for US President Donald Trump. (PAP)
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