Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Friday received a phone call from his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi who praised Egypt's efforts in reaching a ceasefire with the Palestinian side. An Egypt-brokered ceasefire in Gaza came into effect early on Friday, ending 11 days of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip that left more than 250 Palestinians dead, hundreds injured and hundreds rendered homeless by the destruction of tens of residential and commercial buildings. As per the ceasefire, the Palestinian factions in Gaza also stopped rocket attacks against Israeli cities. The top Israeli diplomat asserted Israel's keenness on maintaining calm. The two ministers discussed measures that ensure facilitating the process of the reconstruction of Gaza in the coming period. During the phone call, the two ministers also asserted the need of coordination between the two countries, the Palestinian authority and the international partners on maintaining stability and resuming the work of communication channels to bring about peace. Following the truce agreement, Egypt sent two security delegations to Tel Aviv and the Palestinian territories to follow up on the implementation of the ceasefire. On Friday, Egypt sent a massive relief convoy to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, consisting of 130 aid-laden trucks. The trucks, laden with 2,500 tons of foodstuff, medicines, baby formula, clothes and appliances, are provided by Long Live Egypt Fund to the Palestinian people, per presidentia directives.
