Egyptian, Iranian FMs discuss developments of Israeli-Palestinian escalation

CAIRO – 11 October 2023: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, discussed on Tuesday the developments of the Israeli-Palestinian escalation.

In a phone call, the ministers discussed the developments of the violent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip over the past days and the fact that the ongoing confrontations endangers the lives of hundreds of civilians.

Such confrontations also pose threats to the security and stability of the region, the ministers noted.

Shoukry voiced Egypt’s concerns as well as the continuation of the intense military confrontations, especially the large-scale Israeli bombing against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Shoukry also briefed the Iranian foreign minister of Egypt’s efforts to reduce the escalation and achieve calm.

Shoukry reviewed with the Iranian foreign minister Egyptian efforts to deliver humanitarian and relief aid through the Rafah border crossing despite the Israeli strikes on the area of the crossing in the Palestinian side.

The top Egyptian diplomat warned against the expansion of the scope of the ongoing conflict in a way that threatens the stability of the region and safety of its people.

For his part, Abdollahian voiced Iran’s appreciation for the Egyptian efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause and providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

Over the past days, Israel has imposed a complete siege of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million inhabitants, cutting off supplies of fuel, food, water, and electricity.

In conjunction, Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Gaza and amassed troops nearby in retaliation for a surprise attack by Hamas fighters on Israeli cities, which have killed more than 1,200 Israelis.

The Israeli attacks against the strip have killed at least 900 people, including dozens of children, according to figures released by the Health Ministry on Tuesday.

Since the start of the current conflict, Egypt has been calling for both sides of the conflict to prioritize de-escalation and exercise utmost restraint.

Egypt has also made intensive contacts with international influential parties as well the Palestinian and Israeli sides to contain the situation.

Egypt has warned of the conflict’s consequences on the lives of Palestinian and Israeli civilians and its potential risks on the region’s security and stability.