Egypt – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, agreed on Tuesday on “the importance of intensifying joint international action with the aim of preventing the expansion of the conflict and the region from slipping into a new cycle of unplanned conflict.”
This came during a phone call that Sisi received from Macron, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.
During the call, the two parties stressed “the centrality of Egyptian-French relations, and the two presidents’ aspiration to continue joint work to enhance aspects of bilateral cooperation in various fields.”
The two presidents exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues, most notably developments in the Gaza Strip.
During the call, Sisi reviewed “the ongoing Egyptian mediation efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire (in the Gaza Strip) and exchange detainees (between Israel and the Palestinian factions movement).”
He called for “joint international efforts to make mediation efforts successful, and to deliver humanitarian aid in sufficient quantities to alleviate the harsh conditions suffered by the people of the Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli military operations.”
For his part, the French President praised, according to the Egyptian statement, “the tireless efforts made by Egypt since the outbreak of the crisis.”
Last week, Egypt hosted Israeli and American delegations to discuss the outstanding points in the Gaza Strip truce agreement.
With the mediation of Qatar, Egypt and the United States, the Palestinian factions in Gaza and Israel have been conducting indirect negotiations for months to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of prisoners from both sides.
According to the statement, “The two presidents agreed on the importance of intensifying joint international action, with the aim of preventing the expansion of the conflict and the region from slipping into a new cycle of unplanned conflict.”
Israel has been waging war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, ignoring the UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate halt, and the International Court of Justice orders to end the invasion of Rafah, take measures to prevent acts of genocide, and improve the dire humanitarian situation in the Strip.
While Hezbollah and Palestinian factions in Lebanon have been exchanging intermittent daily shelling with the Israeli army across the “Blue Line” since October 8, leaving hundreds dead and wounded, most of them in Lebanon, amidst an escalation of the situation and international fears of going to a new war.
Anatolia
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2024-07-17 09:24:42