Greek, Dutch FMs hold consultations with Egyptian counterpart over escalation in Gaza, Palestinian territories

CAIRO – 17 May 2021: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry received Monday phone calls from his Greek and Dutch counterparts holding consultations over accelerating developments on the Palestinian territories and the escalation in Gaza Strip.

They also tackled the endeavors made to accomplish pacification so as the Greek and Dutch foreign ministers valued the Egyptian efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire and ending the current critical situation.

Since May 7, Israeli forces in the West Bank and Jerusalem have been engaged in clashes with civilians who were protesting forced displacement, particularly from Sheikh Jarrah eastern Jerusalem, and assaults on worshippers in Al Aqsa Mosque. And, since May 10, Israel has been shelling and carrying out airstrikes against Gaza Strip. The aggression has thus far incurred 220 deaths and 6,039 injuries, as reported by the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA).

The breakdown is 198 deaths, including 58 children and 35 women, and 1,300 injuries in Gaza Strip; 21 deaths and 3,728 injuries in the West Bank; and, one victim and 1,011 injuries in Jerusalem. In the West Bank, 441 were shot with live rounds, and 172 were shot with rubber-coated bullets among other injuries caused by tear gas, and beating up. As for Palestinians who got detained in Jerusalem and the West Bank, the figure is 850.

The strikes also caused the destruction of more than 200 residential units in Gaza Strip and 31 educational establishments, including schools, colleges, and vocational training centers so as hundreds of families fled from the North to the South.

On the other hand, Magen David Agom announced that 10 Israelis got killed since the beginning of the "Fence Guardian" operation on May 10 while 675 others got injured.

On Saturday, the Israeli forces struck a number of towers in Gaza Strip. One of those housed the offices of a number of media outlets.

On Friday, power went off in most areas of Gaza Strip because of the Israeli aggression carried out not just from land and air but also from sea as Israeli battleships struck the shores of Shatea El Sudaneya northern Gaza.