Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty discussed joint efforts by Egypt, the United States and Qatar to swiftly reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, ensure the release of hostages and detainees, and allow full access for humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of civilians in the enclave. In a phone call on Wednesday evening with Steve Wietkoff, the US President's special envoy for the Middle East, Abdel-Aty underscored the need for a permanent and comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that meets the aspirations of regional peoples for lasting peace, security and stability. The call also covered developments in the US-Iran nuclear negotiations. Abdel-Aty stressed the importance of maintaining the ongoing diplomatic track, viewing it as a critical opportunity to de-escalate tensions, avoid further instability, and prevent the region from sliding into deeper unrest. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama