Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praises Egypt’s ‘national stance’ supporting Gaza

CAIRO – 18 May 2021: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praises Egypt’s ‘national stance’ to support the Palestinian people facing the Israeli ongoing aggression.

In a Tuesday statement, Abbas expressed his high appreciation and thanks to president Abdel Fattah al Sisi, and his important initiative to contribute in supporting the Palestinian people to rebuild what was destroyed in Gaza.

According Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abbas said that this national and historic Egyptian stance proves the reality of Egypt and its role in the Arab world in supporting the Palestinian people and defending their rights until the establishment of their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He stressed that Egypt was and remains the strong supporter and defender of the Palestinian inalienable and historical rights, on top of which are the Islamic and Christian sanctities.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi announced Tuesday during his visit to Paris that Egypt is allocating $500 million to the reconstruction of Gaza Strip, and that Egyptian firms will take part in the work.

The announcement was made during his participation in a tripartite summit with his French counterpart Emanuel Macron and Kind Abdullah of Jordan.

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 236 deaths and 6,278 injuries, as reported by the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA).

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. According to the United Nations, 40,000 Palestinians got displaced – mainly from the North to the South – while 2,500 lost their homes.

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.