Egypt – Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty, yesterday, Sunday, discussed with his American counterpart, Anthony Blinken, the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, and the genocide launched by Tel Aviv in the Gaza Strip, in addition to the Sudanese crisis.
This came during a phone call that Abdel-Ati received from his American counterpart, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Washington provides absolute support to Israel in its genocide in Gaza and its aggression against Lebanon.
The ministry said that the two sides discussed “current efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and the sharp deterioration in the humanitarian conditions.”
The statement quoted Abdel Ati as affirming his country’s “categorical rejection and condemnation of the escalatory Israeli measures aimed at obstructing humanitarian aid and preventing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from carrying out its role.”
He stressed “the importance of working to empower the Palestinian Authority, and the necessity of dealing with the (occupied) West Bank and Gaza Strip as an integrated unit of the Palestinian territories, in preparation for ending the occupation and establishing the Palestinian state.”
The two ministers also discussed “political and field developments in Lebanon.”
Abdel Ati stressed, “The necessity of concerted international efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, establish calm, fully implement Security Council Resolution 1701, and provide all forms of humanitarian support in light of the severe humanitarian crisis that Lebanon is going through.”
Resolution 1701, issued on August 11, 2006, calls for a complete cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel at that time, and the establishment of a zone free of weapons and militants between the Blue Line (separating Lebanon and Israel) and the Litani River in southern Lebanon, with the exception of forces affiliated with the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL forces. .
Abdel Ati stressed “the need to respect Lebanese sovereignty.”
He condemned “Israel’s incursion into Lebanese territory and its targeting of the UNIFIL (interim peacekeeping) forces, in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and international law,” after that force was subjected to several direct attacks from the Israeli army.
After clashes with factions in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, which began after Israel launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, resulting in the killing and wounding of more than 145,000 Palestinians, Tel Aviv has expanded since September 23 the scope of The genocide included most of Lebanon’s regions, including the capital, Beirut, through air strikes, and it also began a ground invasion in its south.
The aggression against Lebanon resulted in a total of 2,986 dead and 13,402 wounded, including a large number of children and women, in addition to about 1,400,000 displaced people. Most of the victims and displaced persons were recorded after September 23, according to Anatolia’s monitoring of the latest official Lebanese data announced as of Sunday evening. .
Regarding the internal Lebanese situation, Abdel Ati reviewed, during the call, “the Egyptian efforts aimed at ending the presidential vacancy crisis,” as the two ministers stressed the importance of electing a president for the country “with Lebanese consensus and without external dictates.”
Since September 2022, the Lebanese Parliament has failed 12 times to elect a president to succeed Michel Aoun, whose term ended on October 31 of the same year.
Regarding the Sudanese crisis, the two ministers reviewed “the serious developments and the efforts made to ensure a ceasefire and the arrival of humanitarian aid.”
In this context, the Egyptian Foreign Minister stressed “the importance of preserving and supporting Sudanese state institutions, respecting the unity and integrity of Sudanese territory, and intensifying humanitarian and relief aid.”
Since mid-April 2023, the army and the Rapid Support Forces have been waging a war that has left more than 20,000 dead and more than 11 million displaced and refugees, according to the United Nations.
UN and international calls are escalating to end the war in order to spare Sudan a humanitarian catastrophe that has begun to push millions into famine and death due to food shortages due to the fighting that has spread to 13 out of 18 states.
Anatolia
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**Interview with Dr. Ayesha Dirar, International Relations Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Dirar. Following the recent phone call between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, can you share your thoughts on the current situation in Gaza and Lebanon?
**Dr. Dirar:** Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed alarming, particularly the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The numbers are staggering, with over 145,000 Palestinians reported killed and countless others injured. Egypt’s emphasis on the necessity of a ceasefire and humanitarian aid is vital, given the catastrophic conditions.
**Interviewer:** During the conversation, the two ministers discussed efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire. How likely is it that we will see progress in that area?
**Dr. Dirar:** There is always hope, but the geopolitical landscape is complex. Egypt’s position as a mediator is crucial, especially in advocating for Palestinian rights and the need to empower the Palestinian Authority. However, the U.S.’s strong support for Israel complicates matters. The potential for any viable ceasefire largely depends on both the willingness of Israel to halt its military operations and the international community’s pressure on all parties involved.
**Interviewer:** Egypt condemned the Israeli measures aimed at obstructing humanitarian aid. What implications does this have for future relations between Egypt and Israel, as well as Egypt and the U.S.?
**Dr. Dirar:** Egypt has historically been a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but such condemnations can strain its bilateral relations with Israel, especially if it openly opposes Israeli actions. In terms of the U.S.-Egypt relationship, the U.S. may face increased scrutiny regarding its unwavering support for Israel, particularly if it appears to support actions perceived as violations of human rights.
**Interviewer:** The conversation also touched on the situation in Lebanon. What role does international cooperation play in addressing these crises?
**Dr. Dirar:** International cooperation is absolutely essential. The Lebanese crisis is particularly critical, and the need for a ceasefire and respect for Lebanese sovereignty cannot be overstated. Countries like Egypt, along with other regional and international players, must work together to create a framework for peace that addresses both the humanitarian crises and the political conflicts in the region.
**Interviewer:** With the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 mentioned, do you think there’s a chance for its implementation in light of the recent escalation?
**Dr. Dirar:** Resolution 1701 has faced challenges in the past, and its implementation will depend largely on the political will of the parties involved and the priority given to it by the international community. If there’s a collective urgency to de-escalate tensions and address humanitarian needs, we might see progress, but this requires commitment from all sides.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Dirar, for your insights on this critical issue.
**Dr. Dirar:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a swift resolution that prioritizes peace and humanity.
