Egypt, Jordan say Gaza ceasefire only way to stop regional escalation

CAIRO – 7 August 2024: Egypt and Jordan have emphasized the need for reaching a ceasefire in Gaza as the sole means to curb the escalating tensions in the region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates’ Abroad said in a statement.

In a phone conversation on Tuesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates’ Affairs Badr Abdelatty and Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi underscored the necessity of securing humanitarian aid access to Gaza.

The two ministers highlighted the significance of following up a Gaza ceasefire with essential measures to tackle the underlying crisis issues and intensifying efforts towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

They affirmed that a ceasefire in Gaza has to be followed by necessary measures to address the root causes of the crisis and intensifying efforts toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Abdelatty underlined the region’s current state of instability and the potential risks of further expansion of the tensions, cautioning that these conflicts could dangerously push the region to the brink of abyss.

He added that the ramifications stem directly from the highly adverse effects of the ongoing Gaza conflict and the persistent failure of the international community to pressure Israel into ceasing its hostilities against the Palestinian populace.

Over the past week, Egypt has been actively engaging with diplomats from Arab nations and other global partners, including the United States, to contain the escalating in the region amid growing Israeli-Iranian tensions.

Hazardous regional situation

Israel is on alert for potential retaliatory actions from Iran following the Israeli forces’ assassination of prominent Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.

Late in July, Israeli forces killed Fuad Shukr, a prominent commander of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Beirut, and Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in a strike in Tehran.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pledged that Israel would face “severe punishment at the appropriate time, place, and manner” for Shukr's killing.

The IRGC stated that Hezbollah’s attacks are anticipated to extend beyond military sites.

It also mentioned that the strike against Shukr resulted in the deaths of five civilians, with the support of the United States.

Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others, have updated their travel advisories for Lebanon, urging their citizens to refrain from all travel to the country due to the deteriorating security situation.

Meanwhile, Haniyeh was assassinated in his residence in the Iranian capital shortly after participating in the inauguration of Pezeshkian.

The Israeli military has declared a state of high alert in anticipation of an Iranian counterattack on Israel, while the Pentagon has announced the deployment of additional warships and fighter jets to deter any potential assault.

Several major airlines, including United, Delta, and Lufthansa, have suspended flights to and from Israel due to concerns about the escalating security situation.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation after Haniyah’s death, characterizing it as a "duty." Reports indicate that Khamenei has ordered a direct strike against Israel.

Both Hezbollah and Hamas have also pledged to avenge Haniyeh's killing, heightening fears of a potential regional conflict.

The growing tensions across the region come while the Israeli war in Gaza has continued for 10 months.

Israeli airstrikes across the strip, even in designated "safe zones," have killed 39,653 individuals and injured 91,535, according to Gaza's health ministry on Tuesday.

Additionally, Gaza has experienced extensive destruction of vital infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and essential facilities, heightening the region's susceptibility to an imminent famine.