Egypt conducting intensive contacts with int’l parties to contain Palestinian-Israeli crisis: FM

CAIRO – 7 October 2023: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt is conducting intensive contacts at all levels with a focus on international influential parties to contain the current crisis between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

In a phone call today with Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Shoukry said Egypt’s contacts with international parties aims to spare the region further tensions and instability.

Egypt also seeks through the contacts to avoid the situation from coming out of control, Shoukry stressed.

Shoukry affirmed the importance of halting the ongoing escalation and the need for all parties to exercise restraint to avoid serious dangers.

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.

At least 22 Israelis were killed and over 250 others were injured in the attack until now with the toll expected to rise, Reuters cited the Israeli ambulance service as saying.