High-level source: Israeli policies in Gaza threaten escalation, pose dire consequences for the region

CAIRO – 13 July 2024: A high-level source has warned against Israeli persistent pursuit of policies that contribute to further escalation. The source said such practices pose dire consequences for the entire region.

Egypt has alerted relevant parties about the dangers of Israeli escalation in Gaza and the targeting of civilians, the source added.

The warnings coincide with a deadly Israeli air attack on the Al-Mawasi refugee camp in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday.

The attack killed at least 71 people and wounded 289 others, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The Israeli army claims that the attack aimed to target senior Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, but Hamas denies these claims.

“The occupation's claims about targeting leaders are false, this is not the first time the occupation has claimed to target Palestinian leaders, and later it is proven to be a lie,” Hamas said in a statement.

The movement added that these claims by are merely a cover-up for the scale of the horrific massacre.

Hamas emphasized that “defenceless civilians” were killed in the strike on an area, which was classified by the occupation army as among the “safe zones.”

Cairo has condemned the attack in the strongest terms, saying it led to the death and injury of dozens of innocent Palestinian civilians.

Egypt called on Israel to “cease its disregard for the lives of innocent civilians and to uphold the necessary humanitarian standards in compliance with international law and international humanitarian law.”

“These crimes will not be subject to statute of limitations and cannot be justified under any circumstances,” the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Egypt reaffirmed that these ongoing violations against Palestinian civilians further complicate the current efforts to achieve a ceasefire and exacerbate the humanitarian suffering of Palestinians amid an alarming international silence and impotence.

The Israeli war in Gaza since October 7 has killed more than 38,400 people and injured more than 88,400 others.

Additionally, Gaza lost most of its infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and other vital facilities, and is currently facing a looming famine.