Egypt calls for halting Israeli-Palestinian escalation, urges utmost restraint

CAIRO – 7 October 2023: Egypt warned on Saturday of the “severe dangers” posed by the current ongoing escalation between the Israeli and Palestinian sides amid a series of assaults on Palestinian cities.

In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for exercising the utmost restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further risks.

The ministry warned of serious repercussions as a result of the escalating violence in the Palestinian cities, expressing concerns over negative effects on future of efforts to achieve calm between the two sides.

Furthermore, Egypt calls for international actors involved in backing the efforts of resuming the peace process to intervene immediately to halt the ongoing escalation, the ministry said.

Egypt also affirms the need for these actors to urge Israel to stop its assaults and provocative actions against the Palestinian people and to adhere to the international humanitarian law regarding the responsibilities of the occupying powers.

Israel has declared a “state of alert for war” today after Hamas launched an offensive, its biggest in years, reportedly firing thousands of rockets at Israel.

Hamas called for Palestinians and Arab countries to join the offensive.

Moreover, dozens of Hamas fighters reportedly infirtlated the Israeli city of Sderot and clashes erupted in multiple locations around Gaza.

The Israeli military launched attacks in Gaza in response. There are deaths from both sides amid the escalating attacks.