CAIRO: The conflict between Israel and Palestine has reached a critical point, prompting urgent appeals from Egyptian officials for international intervention and pressure on Israel to cease its ongoing attacks and provocative actions against the Palestinian people.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry played a pivotal role in seeking international assistance to address the escalating violence. He called upon the United Nations Security Council to fulfill its responsibility by implementing measures aimed at safeguarding the rights of Palestinians. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing the potential for a destructive cycle of violence to continue.
In a significant diplomatic move, President El-Sisi received a call from French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders discussed strategies for coordinating efforts to de-escalate the tensions in the Gaza Strip, with a focus on mediating between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. President El-Sisi’s spokesperson highlighted the peril of a deteriorating situation, worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, and the looming threat to regional stability and security.
Foreign Minister Shoukry engaged in a flurry of diplomatic communications, reaching out to key counterparts in Russia, Turkiye, Germany, France, and Spain. The aim was to rally international actors to take immediate action. His discussions emphasized the importance of ending the escalation and urged all parties to exercise restraint.
. @UN Security Council urged to “uphold its responsibility” and “put measures in place to protect #Palestinian rights” amid new #Hamas–#Israeli war https://t.co/zPkbJSlOdf#Gaza
— Arab News (@arabnews) October 7, 2023
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi joined the chorus of concern, highlighting the progressive and dangerous deterioration of events. He particularly emphasized the volatile situation in the West Bank, where Israeli attacks and violations against Palestinians were intensifying.
Egypt extended its diplomatic efforts beyond Europe, with Shoukry also reaching out to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. The focus of these discussions was on preventing the security situation from spiraling out of control.
Cairo has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, scheduled for Sunday. The aim is to prompt the international community to urge Israel to halt its attacks and adhere to the principles of international humanitarian law as an occupying state.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also played a role in regional diplomacy, holding phone calls with counterparts in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Palestine, and Iran to address the escalating conflict. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry affirmed its readiness to assist in de-escalating the situation.
As the conflict continues to simmer, the international community’s response becomes increasingly vital to prevent further escalation and protect the lives and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.
