PressBridge

Cairo – Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange remain "difficult and complicated," with a successful outcome dependent on sustained pressure from the United States on Israel, according to Egypt's former Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy.

In an interview with the "Cairo Talk" program on Monday, Fahmy, a seasoned diplomat, provided a sober assessment of the ongoing discussions mediated by Egypt and Qatar. He indicated that while all parties are engaged in the process, significant obstacles persist.

"The negotiations are facing difficulties, of course," Fahmy stated. "The situation is complicated, and reaching a formula that satisfies the various parties is not easy."

A central point of contention, as outlined by Fahmy, is the sequencing of the agreement's phases. He explained that the dispute revolves around "what comes first and what follows," suggesting a lack of consensus on the implementation timeline of a ceasefire versus the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

The former minister, who also served as Egypt's ambassador to the United States, emphasized the critical role of Washington in breaking the deadlock. He argued that for the negotiations to move forward, the U.S. must maintain consistent and firm pressure on the Israeli government.

"The American role is pivotal," Fahmy said. "There needs to be sustained American pressure on Israel to create the conditions for a deal. Without that, the current difficulties will likely continue."

Fahmy's comments underscore the fragile state of the talks as regional and international mediators work to secure a deal that would halt the ongoing conflict. His analysis highlights that despite the engagement of all sides, the path to an agreement remains fraught with procedural and political challenges that require high-level diplomatic intervention to resolve.