U.S. lacks Israel-Hamas mediator

The U.S. call for mediation efforts by Arab states to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas is facing the challenge of a shift in the region's political landscape that makes it difficult to find such a negotiator, according to AP.

Egypt was for decades an effective go-between for the Palestinians and the West. But it is now ruled by a former military general who came to power on the strength of crushing an Islamist movement allied with Hamas.

Cairo's interest in seeing Hamas weakened and its strained relations with other regional powers such as Qatar and Turkey has resulted in Washington's best option for a negotiator apparently distancing itself from the conflict.

"The fact that Hamas is getting a bloody nose serves Egypt's interests," Eli Shaked, a former Israeli ambassador to Egypt told AP.

Since the removal of former president, Mohammad Morsi, Egypt has seen a low-level insurgency in the North Sinai region bordering Gaza, and Egyptian officials have accused Hamas of supporting fighters targeting the police and military there.

Hamas has denied any involvement in the attacks, which have killed dozens of Egyptian security personnel.

On Friday, Egypt's foreign ministry issued a statement expressing dismay at what it called "stubbornness and obstinacy" from both Israel and Hamas to Egypt's calls for de-escalation.

While Egypt's public statements have been tepid, there has been even less diplomatic urgency behind closed doors.