Egypt condemned the recent serious Israeli escalations in the Middle East on Wednesday, warning against the impact of assassinations, violations of national sovereignty, and the potential for increased conflict in the region.
In a statement, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs expressed concerns that such actions could lead to severe security implications. Egypt urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and key international players to take responsibility for halting this dangerous escalation.
The ministry emphasized the need to prevent the security situation from spiraling out of control and to end provocative actions. Egypt noted that the timing of this regional escalation, alongside stalled ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, complicates the situation. This indicates a lack of Israeli political willingness towards de-escalation and undermines the tireless efforts by Egypt and its allies to stop the war in Gaza and end the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people.
Early Wednesday, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in an Israeli strike in Iran, where he had been attending the inauguration of the country’s new president. According to Iranian media, Haniyeh was killed in a special residence in northern Tehran after being hit by an aerial projectile in the early hours of Wednesday.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps announced that the attack is under investigation, with results to be announced later. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed to make Israel “regret” the “cowardly” killing of Haniyeh, and Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “harsh punishment” for Israel.
Israel did not comment on Haniyeh’s death, but many countries have warned that it will have a significant impact on efforts to bring a ceasefire in the Gaza war. Hours earlier, Israel carried out a rare strike in the Lebanese capital Beirut, which it said killed top Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur.
