19 June 2021; MEMO: Israeli Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Friday discussed with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry efforts to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Israeli and Egyptian media reported.
This came as Lapid made a telephone call to Shoukry in an attempt to thaw the years-long political stalemate between Israel and Palestine.
Lapid said that Shoukry emphasised the importance of returning to peace negotiations.
Shoukri, who congratulated Lapid on the formation of the new government, also affirmed that Egypt would continue to support peace efforts in the Middle East.
He also stressed the need to prevent any escalation between the Israelis and the Palestinians as well as to push forward the reconstruction efforts and development support for all parts of the Palestinian territories.
On 10 June, Israeli media reported Israeli authorities asking Egypt to stop the entry of goods to Gaza, mainly cement, construction materials and fuel.
Following the 11-day Israeli offensive in May, Egypt, one of the brokers of the ceasefire ending the offensive, allowed the entry of construction material and fuel.
