Egypt – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed, with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, efforts aimed at a ceasefire in Gaza, the exchange of prisoners, and the implementation of humanitarian aid.
The Egyptian presidency reported that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call today from French President Emmanuel Macron.
Presidential spokesman Counselor Ahmed Fahmy stated that the call addressed the ongoing efforts aimed at a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the exchange of detainees, and the implementation of humanitarian aid, as the two presidents reviewed the latest developments in this regard, and stressed the need for the parties concerned to cooperate to ensure progress that leads to bloodshed and alleviation of suffering. The current humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, in addition to advancing the path of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, as the only path capable of achieving real security and sustainable stability in the region.
During the call, President Sisi affirmed Egypt’s categorical position of rejecting the displacement of Palestinians to Egypt in any way or form, a position that enjoys complete international consensus. The French President also indicated France’s full support for Egypt’s position.
The two presidents stressed the danger of any military escalation in Rafah due to its catastrophic humanitarian repercussions on approximately one and a half million Palestinians in this region. The two presidents also warned of the danger of expanding the conflict at the regional level and hence the necessity of quickly advancing ceasefire and regional calm efforts.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry confirmed today that any comprehensive military operations in the Gaza Strip will have catastrophic humanitarian repercussions, and that removing the displaced from Rafah poses a threat to Egypt’s national security.
Hebrew media reported, citing Israeli military sources, that the Israeli army’s invasion of Rafah was “inevitable.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on February 7 that the soldiers had received an order to prepare to launch a military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Two days after that, Netanyahu instructed the army to prepare a plan to evacuate the civilian population from Rafah and eliminate the Hamas brigades in the city.
The United States expressed concerns about the potential operation in Rafah, warning that it could lead to a “disaster.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz indicated yesterday, Friday in Munich, that Tel Aviv will coordinate with Cairo before the military operation in Rafah, in the far south of the Gaza Strip.
The international community is intensifying its calls to Israel in order to discourage it from invading Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians are besieged on the border with Egypt.
Meanwhile, Israeli War Council Minister Benny Gantz said that even in the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, the war could continue in Gaza, threatening to expand the fighting to Rafah unless they return the prisoners.
The war in Gaza has entered its 134th day, while the specter of a humanitarian catastrophe looms over Rafah, which awaits an Israeli military operation, coinciding with negotiations in Egypt regarding a truce and the release of prisoners and hostages.
Source: RT
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2024-06-09 00:49:55