Egyptian, EU top diplomats urge for resumption of Gaza ceasefire talks

CAIRO - Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Kaja Kallas, the European Union's (EU) high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, on Sunday called for the resumption of Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting with the EU top diplomat in Cairo, Abdelatty said, "The only way to release all (Israeli) detainees is to return to the negotiating table and adhere to the ceasefire agreement," rejecting the resumption of Israeli military operations against civilians in the Gaza Strip.

He also stressed the need to move quickly towards the second phase of the preliminary Gaza ceasefire agreement that took effect on Jan 19.

For her part, Kallas told reporters that the EU is very concerned about the loss of life in Gaza due to Israel's resumption of hostilities.

"They (the Israelis) should resume negotiations and stop the killing there, and stop the bombing. Of course, the hostages have to be released as well," she said.

"Our messages have to be clear: the humanitarian law has to be followed, peoples' lives have to be saved, (and) humanitarian aid reach the people," she added.

The situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly. Since early Tuesday, the Israeli military has resumed intense airstrikes across the enclave, effectively ending a two-month truce. The Gaza-based health authorities reported on Sunday that at least 673 people have been killed and 1,233 others wounded since then.