CAIRO, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Wednesday discussed joint efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ease regional tensions, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

During a phone call, Abdelatty briefed Tajani on Egypt's efforts, in coordination with Qatar and the United States, to resume the ceasefire, secure the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, and ensure the urgent delivery of humanitarian, relief, and medical aid to the enclave, the statement added.

He also outlined Egypt's plan to host an international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza once a ceasefire agreement is reached.

In a press release issued by the Italian Foreign Ministry following the call, Tajani underscored Italy's support for the mediation efforts to end the conflict.

He stressed the urgent need to halt attacks against Palestinian civilians, free Israeli hostages, consolidate a ceasefire, and allow humanitarian and medical aid into Gaza, according to the Italian press release.

Tajani described a proposed 60-day initial ceasefire as "a decisive step" that should not be missed under any circumstances.

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza, launched in October 2023 following a deadly Hamas-led attack, has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. A currently proposed 60-day truce, supported by Washington, Cairo, and Doha, aims to halt the fighting and lay the groundwork for a lasting ceasefire. Enditem