Egypt, France FMs calls for implementing two-state solution for regional stability

CAIRO – 17 August 2024: In a press conference with his French counterpart Stéphane Séjourné on Saturday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty affirmed that the opportunity still exists- if there are real intentions by the all concerned parties, to stop the ongoing Israeli massacres against the Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Abdelatty added that the important element to stop the escalation in the region is to stop the bloodbath and killing in Gaza immediately within the framework of a comprehensive deal

He also called for indulging into a real path that implements the establishment of a Palestinian state and the two-state solution.

He continued that he agreed with the French side that escalation in the region does not serve any party.

The French Minister applaud Egypt's diplomatic efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, adding that joint work is a must to avoid a regional escalation because its results will be disastrous.

He also called for moving urgently towards a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, saying that the two-state solution is the only solution that brings security and peace to the Palestinians and Israelis.

Abdelatty held an expanded discussion session with Séjourné on Saturday morning at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Tahrir Palace.

Official spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid explained that the consultations address ways to reduce escalation in the region, efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip, and ensuring the access of humanitarian aid to deal with the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the besieged Gaza Strip of Palestine.

Also, another closed bilateral discussion session was held between the two ministers, Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid continued. The in-depth discussions took place on the volatile regional situation, ways to contain the escalation, and efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The meetings also addressed the distinguished Egyptian-French relations and ways to enhance them in various fields, in addition to discussing regional and international issues of common interest.

The French Minister and his delegation also met with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who called for exerting and unifying all international efforts of the ongoing negotiations to reach an agreement that stops the bloodshed and prevent military escalation in the region.

The Israeli war has resulted in a devastating toll, with 40,005 fatalities, 92,401 injuries, the displacement of most of Gaza's 2.2 million inhabitants, and the enclave facing the looming threat of famine, announced the Palestinian Ministry of Health’s branch in Gaza on Thursday.

The war was triggered by a Hamas attack on Israeli communities near Gaza on October 7, during which Palestinian fighters captured around 250 Israelis and foreign nationals.

In November, a prisoner exchange brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US resulted in the release of about 100 Israeli captives in return for about 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel managed to rescue seven captives in Gaza over the past months. However, unrelenting Israeli strikes have led to the deaths of some of the roughly 100 captives still held in Gaza.

The stepped-up efforts to reach a ceasefire also arrive against the backdrop of an increasingly turbulent regional climate.

Israel and the US are on high alert for imminent retaliatory actions from Iran against Israeli targets following the recent assassinations of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shokr in Beirut and Hamas political bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran by Israeli forces.

Additional reporting by Amr Mohamed Kandil