Israeli Foreign Minister makes historic visit to Egypt

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi arrived in Cairo yesterday for talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry. It is the first time in almost 13 years that an Israeli foreign minister has paid an official visit to Egypt.

Ashkenazi’s historic visit came after Israel and Hamas agreed last week on a cease-fire, aimed at bolstering the Cairo-brokered ceasefire that ended the latest deadly flare-up of violence between the Jewish state and Gaza’s Hamas rulers.

After the meeting, Ashkenazi stressed that Egypt is an important regional ally, committed to security and stability, and the maintenance and expansion of peace in the region.

Reportedly, talks between Ashkenazi and Shoukry focused on measures to guarantee the continuation of the Egyptian-mediated cease-fire with Hamas, the reconstruction of Gaza and a potential prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

While Ashkenazi went to Cairo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met May 30 in Jerusalem with Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Abbas Kamel.

Also on May 30, Israel’s Army Radio said that Egypt was hoping for Israel and the Palestinian Authority to restart formal talks on policy issues in the wake of the visit.

Egypt played a pivotal role in negotiating the May 21 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that brought an end to 11 days of deadly fighting. 

Israeli strikes on Gaza killed 254 Palestinians, including 66 children. Rockets and other fire from Gaza claimed 12 lives in Israel, including one child and an Arab-Israeli teenager.

Egypt's Sisi has pledged $US500 million to help reconstruction efforts in the densely populated Gaza enclave, which was pummelled by Israeli airstrikes.