Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, emphasized the necessity of “dismantling Israeli settlements” in pursuit of the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state. His comments, broadcasted by “Al-Qahera Al-Akhbariya” channel, also addressed the statements made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, which Aboul Gheit interpreted as reflecting a desire to dominate Palestinians and the region, a goal he deemed unachievable.
Aboul Gheit highlighted the challenge of garnering sufficient momentum for Palestinians to achieve statehood. He responded to the Israeli Minister’s claim that Hamas’ ammunition supplies largely pass through Egypt, attributing significant responsibility to Cairo for the events of October 7th.
Egypt previously expressed its complete rejection of statements by high-ranking Israeli officials regarding a potential military operation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, warning of the severe consequences of such actions, especially given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In a statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, there was a call for international and regional efforts to prevent targeting the Palestinian city of Rafah, which has become a refuge for nearly 1.4 million displaced Palestinians, being one of the last safe areas in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military has intensified its attacks on Rafah in southern Gaza, causing widespread destruction and triggering mass evacuations. Residential buildings and camps have been leveled, making no place in Gaza safe from bombardment. This has led tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee towards the south of Gaza, seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict. The United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA reported that an estimated 30,000 additional Palestinians moved southwards through a corridor opened by the Israeli military. However, even Rafah, where civilians were urged to evacuate, has been targeted by Israeli attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has requested the military to develop a plan for evacuating civilians from Rafah while also aiming to defeat the remaining Hamas fighters in the area. This comes amid concerns raised by international observers and countries regarding the humanitarian impact of such offensive actions. Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has expressed opposition to an Israeli military offensive in Rafah, emphasizing the dire situation in the already overcrowded area.
