Egypt, Belgium discuss regional de-escalation efforts amidst Gaza crisis

CAIRO – 10 August 2024: Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Belgian counterpart, Hadja Lahbib, have discussed efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East in light of the ongoing Gaza war.

In a post on her X account on Saturday, Lahbib shared that she and Abdelatty discussed efforts to find a sustainable political resolution to the Gaza war.

"Together, we are committed to de-escalation and a ceasefire agreement in Gaza," she remarked.

Abdelatty updated Lahbib during the call on Egypt's continuous engagements with regional and global parties to prevent further escalation, read a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lahbib briefed Abdelatty on her recent conversation with her Israeli counterpart, advocating for restraint and a ceasefire in Gaza.

She praised Egypt's instrumental role in resolving the Gaza crisis and curbing the resulting regional escalation.

Since its initiation on October 7, the Israeli war in Gaza has led to nearly 40,000 fatalities, over 91,000 injuries, massive displacement of Gaza's 2.2 million inhabitants, and the looming threat of famine.

On Thursday, leaders from Egypt, the United States, and Qatar reiterated their call for a ceasefire, inviting both Israel and Hamas to join discussions on August 15 in either Cairo or Doha.

“There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay. It is time to release the hostages, begin the ceasefire, and implement this agreement,” said a joint statement by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, US President Joe Biden, and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Numerous global leaders have expressed strong support for the joint appeal from Egyptian, Qatari, and US leaders.