Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry engaged in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Sunday, delving into the evolving situation in Gaza and underscoring the imperative need for Israel to adhere to a ceasefire, as mandated by a recent UN Security Council resolution.
A statement issued by the Egyptian foreign ministry highlighted Shoukry and Abdollahian’s mutual agreement on the urgent necessity of a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
Expressing staunch opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and any ground incursions into the city of Rafah, both ministers stressed the importance of facilitating unimpeded access to humanitarian aid in the region. They called upon Israel to remove barriers obstructing aid delivery and abide by relevant Security Council resolutions.
Moreover, Shoukry voiced Egypt’s profound concerns regarding the conflict’s potential spillover into the wider region, particularly in the southern Red Sea. He underscored the detrimental impact of such escalation on maritime navigation and international trade flow through this crucial waterway.
Emphasizing the adverse repercussions of the conflict’s expansion on regional and international efforts aimed at resolving the crisis, Shoukry cautioned against further escalation.
Despite international calls, including the recent UNSC resolution, urging Israel to halt its aggression, the nation persists in its relentless assaults on Gaza.
Since October 7th, Israel’s actions have resulted in the deaths of at least 32,782 Palestinians and left 75,298 others injured, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
