Shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East: Foreign Minister Wadephul on a mission to end the violence

Shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East: Foreign Minister Wadephulon a mission to end the violence

How can a lasting ceasefire be achieved, to bring about the release of the hostages and an end to the dying in Gaza? Foreign Minister Wadephulis travelling to the region and will talk with key actors. The discussions will focus on the "day after", on the future of Gaza.

Straight after his meeting with his European counterparts in Italy, Foreign Minister Wadephulwill travel to Egypt, the first stop on his Middle East trip. Egypt is an important partner which not only plays a key role as a neighbouring state of Israel with border crossings to Gaza, butis also mediating in the negotiations on the hostages and ceasefire. During his first official visit, therefore, Foreign Minister Wadephulwill explore solutions to the war in the Middle East together with the Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr Badr Abdelatty.

From Egypt, Foreign Minister Wadephulwill travel on to Lebanon. The multi-faith cedar state borders the north of Israel and since 7 October has repeatedly been drawn into the war, with the Islamist Hezbollah, supported by Iran, using it as a base from which to attack Israel. There have been Israeli air attacks in the Israeli-Lebaneseborder region and reaching as far as the capital, Beirut. While in Beirut, Foreign Minister Wadephulwill meet the Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic, Mr Nawaf Salam, and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. Germany is committed to the maintenance of the ceasefire in Lebanon and, among other things, is providing Bundeswehr soldiers to help secure the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon under the UNIFIL mandate. In particular, the German Navy is operating along the maritime border under UNIFIL in order toprevent arms smuggling.

Jordan plays an important role as an anchor of stability in the region. A large proportion of the population of this neighbouring state of Israel have Palestinian roots and so feel great solidarity with the civilian population in Gaza. Foreign Minister Wadephulwill talk with his Jordanian colleague, Mr Ayman Safadi, about what needs to be done to end the violence in Gaza, and alsoin the West Bank. An audience with King Abdullah II IbnAl-Hussein of Jordan is also planned.

Following his talks with key actors in the region, Foreign Minister Wadephulwill travel to Israel, where he will meet Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Talks here will focus on how to find common ground among the interests of the various stakeholders in order toattain a life in security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians.

Keywords

• Middle East conflict: Israel and the Palestine
• Israel
• Lebanon
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Articles
• Foreign Minister Wadephul: Travels

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