Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed today, Wednesday, that Egypt is making efforts and intensifying communications to contain the situation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Sisi made this statement during a meeting with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, in the presence of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, the Italian Ambassador to Cairo, and several Italian officials. He stated, "Egypt is making its efforts and intensifying communications to contain the situation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides."
The official spokesperson for the presidency indicated that "the meeting addressed the current developments regarding the Palestinian-Israeli situation, where there was consensus on the severe gravity of the situation and the importance of working to halt escalation and achieve a ceasefire between the two sides, in order to preserve regional stability, emphasizing that a just and comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution is crucial for regional stability."
The Italian Deputy Prime Minister emphasized "Rome's reliance on Cairo's significant and vital role in this regard." El-Sisi explained that "Egypt is making its efforts and intensifying communications to contain the situation to prevent its deterioration," stressing the importance of stopping the bloodshed and protecting civilians and preventing them from being targeted, as well as avoiding the worsening of humanitarian conditions for the Palestinian people, warning of the serious security and humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict and the importance of the European and international role in supporting the ceasefire and negotiation process.
Earlier on Wednesday, two Egyptian security sources stated that "Egypt discussed plans with the United States and other countries to provide humanitarian aid across its border with the Gaza Strip." The sources, who requested anonymity, noted that "the aid will pass through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egyptian Sinai, which is currently closed."
The Egyptian presidency announced that President Sisi discussed over the phone with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the developments in Gaza and the military confrontations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. The statement added that both emphasized the importance of avoiding the expansion of the conflict and allowing room for diplomatic efforts.
