Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi received a phone call from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The official spokesman for the presidency, Ahmed Fahmy, indicated that the call included an overview of the developments in the Gaza Strip on all levels, including Egypt's intensive efforts to reach a ceasefire and a truce agreement in the region. He emphasized the current conditions that require the concerted international efforts to succeed in the ongoing mediation efforts, aiming to achieve a breakthrough in this tense situation and to avoid escalating the conflict. He also stressed the need to ensure the immediate and complete delivery of relief assistance to all areas of the Strip sustainably and without obstacles, especially given the collapse of the humanitarian system and the risks of famine and epidemics faced by the people of the region. This situation necessitates the continuation of full support for the work of the UNRWA, which plays a crucial role in supporting the Palestinian people.
The spokesman further stated that the call included a warning about the enormous humanitarian consequences of the Israeli military operations in the city of Rafah, which represent a serious obstacle to the regular evacuation of wounded and sick individuals seeking treatment and the entry of humanitarian and relief aid. The call also emphasized the necessity of working to ensure the Palestinian people's right to self-determination by implementing recognition of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, in accordance with international legitimacy, to prevent the escalation of conflict and to establish stability and coexistence among the peoples of the region.
