On the evening of October 4 local time, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Egypt will host the talks between Israel and Hamas delegations on October 6. The talks will be around the Gaza ceasefire "20-point plan", discussing the on-site conditions and detailed arrangements for exchanges. In addition to the Israeli and Hamas delegations, U.S. Envoy for the Middle East Witkov and the mediator will travel to Egypt to join the talks.

Previously, the Gaza ceasefire negotiations were held in Qatar, why this negotiation changed to Egypt and what impact would Egypt's intervention have on the negotiations?

Tensions between Israel and Qatar highlight the importance of Egypt's mediation

Qin Tian, deputy director of the Middle East Institute of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations:Egypt is about to host specific negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the ceasefire in Gaza, showing an extremely positive attitude of promoting peace talks. This gesture can be understood in two ways. On the one hand,Egypt¡¯s role in Gaza ceasefire talks has become increasingly prominent in recent months.For a long time, Egypt and Qatar have both played the role of encouraging negotiations, but after the Israeli airstrikes on the territory of Qatar on September 9, the Hamas delegation deteriorated sharply, and the Qatar Canal suffered severe injuries. Though Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly apologized at the end of September, it still takes time to repair bilateral relations. In this case, Egypt is clearly more suited to cooperate as a negotiating place.

Egypt actively mediates to fight for its own interests after the war

Qin Tian, deputy director of the Middle East Institute of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations:On the other hand, Egypt's own interests and concerns prompt it to play a more active mediation role. Egypt directly borders Gaza. The war and peace and post-war governance issues in Gaza directly affect Egypt's security and development. Egypt is happy to see a ceasefire in Gaza and the situation calm down. In addition, many of Trump's "20-point plans" involve Egypt, such as the possibility of stationing an international stabilization force after the war in Gaza, Palestinian police training, etc. Egypt may be an important participant.Egypt plays an active role as a host and mediator to ensure it is a beneficiary of the post-war arrangements in Gaza., not victims. Egypt's active mediation can have a positive impact on the ceasefire and war-ending process in Gaza.

Egypt has influence on Hamas to help concrete plans

Qin Tian, deputy director of the Middle East Institute of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations:It should be noted that Hamas is divided into overseas branches and local forces in Gaza. In the case of a ceasefire in Gaza, especially on the issue of the release of detainees, local Hamas forces in Gaza have more power of speech and decision.Egypt is widely believed to have greater influence over local Hamas forces in Gaza.Egypt, therefore, has played an active role at this time, contributing to the smoother achievement of a concrete plan for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of detainees.