The official spokesman and Director of Public Diplomacy at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Abu Zaid, stated that Foreign Minister Samah Shoukry received a phone call today, Friday, from his American counterpart Antony Blinken as part of ongoing consultations and coordination between Egypt and the United States regarding developments in the Gaza Strip crisis.
The Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman indicated that the two ministers discussed ongoing joint efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip leading to a permanent cessation of hostilities, as well as efforts to reach a deal for the exchange of prisoners and detainees.
Abu Zaid added that Minister Shoukry listened to a briefing from his American counterpart regarding the U.S. decision to deliver humanitarian assistance to the sector via the maritime route. He clarified that this is a complementary effort to the Rafah land crossing, which remains the primary route for assistance, along with U.S. efforts to support negotiations related to the exchange of detainees.
In this context, Shoukry emphasized the necessity of intensifying all efforts to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, as this is the ultimate goal that international efforts should focus on to protect the lives of Palestinian civilians. He stressed the importance of implementing Security Council Resolution 2720 regarding the operation of the UN mechanism to coordinate and monitor the entry of aid, and overcoming the obstacles imposed by Israel in this regard.
The discussions between the two ministers also touched on the serious developments occurring in the southern Red Sea area and the threat they pose to international trade in this vital maritime corridor. Shoukry reiterated warnings about the growing and dangerous regional repercussions of the expanding conflict in the area, which increasingly threatens the stability, safety, and interests of many countries.
