A year of war in Gaza: Egypt renews calls for ceasefire in the enclave, Lebanon

CAIRO – 9 October 2024: As Gaza marks a full year of Israeli war, Egypt has renewed its calls for an immediate ceasefire in the enclave and also in Lebanon, which has recently faced deadly Israeli attacks.

During a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty stressed the urgent need for the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in securing an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Abdelatty highlighted a year of Israeli aggression that has led to widespread escalation and disruptions across the region.

He emphasized the necessity of ensuring full and unfettered access for humanitarian aid to Gaza and addressing the underlying issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The foreign minister warned about the escalating tensions in the region, calling for concerted efforts to de-escalate the situation and urging all parties to show restraint to prevent a wider regional war with devastating consequences for all involved.

Saving Lebanon

Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's firm rejection of violations committed against Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, pressing for an immediate ceasefire in the Arab country.

He also highlighted the critical need for intensified humanitarian aid deliveries to Lebanon, where over a million people have been displaced due to Israeli attacks.

Furthermore, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of bolstering Lebanon's institutions, particularly the army, to carry out their duties effectively, and urged full compliance with UN Security Council resolution 1701.

Backing Egypt's water security

The discussion also touched on Egyptian water security, with Abdelatty emphasizing the necessity of reaching a legally binding agreement on the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and adhering to international law in this matter.

He underscored that Egyptian water security is an existential issue that the country will not compromise.

In response, Blinken reaffirmed the United States' commitment to supporting Egyptian water security.

One-year-old tragedy

Tragedies in Gaza persist as Israeli forces continue their assaults, with a ceasefire remaining elusive despite international pleas.

Since the commencement of the war on October 7, Israeli attacks have killed nearly 42,000 individuals, with over 60% being women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The war has also left over 97,500 Palestinians injured, ravaged crucial health and infrastructure in Gaza, and pushed the enclave perilously close to famine.

Egypt has condemned Israel for hindering aid to Gaza by imposing severe restrictions on aid deliveries through Gaza-Israel crossings and taking over the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza since May.

Simultaneously, in Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel have traded intensive fire since the beginning of the Gaza war. Israeli forces have violated Lebanese sovereignty with deadly airstrikes and ground operations over the past weeks.

Since October 8, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have claimed the lives of 2,119 individuals and injured 10,019 others, including a significant number of women and children, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health.

The assaults have also displaced over 1.2 million Lebanese citizens from their homes, according to Lebanese authorities.