Macron and President El-Sisi Effort to Prevent Large-Scale War between Israel and Palestine
Egypt intervenes amid Hamas airstrikes and retaliatory strikes
232 people killed and 1,697 injured in retaliation in Gaza
The presidents of Egypt and France held an emergency telephone meeting on the 7th (local time) to discuss ways to prevent the large-scale fighting taking place in the Gaza Strip due to Hamas’ shelling of Israel and Israel’s retaliatory attacks to prevent the situation from escalating into war. Foreign media such as Xinhua, AFP, and Associated Press reported.
The Egyptian President’s Office issued a statement on this day, saying, “In this conference call, we discussed cooperation and advisory activities to urgently calm the current fighting situation between Israel and Palestine in the Gaza Strip and prevent it from spreading into further large-scale war.” He said.
Presidents El-Sisi and Macron expressed “deep concern” about the ongoing dangerous fighting and violence and said Middle Eastern countries and the international community as a whole should step forward to mediate for a cease-fire.
Egypt has already made extensive contacts with figures from both Israel and Palestine and requested a halt to the fighting, President el-Sisi said. He also reportedly warned that any further expansion of fighting and violence would harm peace and security in the entire Middle East region and “pull the entire region into a vicious cycle of tension and war.”
Seven days earlier, Israel attacked the Gaza Strip in retaliation for the Hamas attack, killing at least 232 people and injuring 1,697, the Palestinian Authority’s Health Ministry announced.
This retaliatory attack by the Israeli military was predicted by Israel in response to the rocket attack by Hamas, the military organization that rules the Gaza Strip, and the deaths of 150 Israelis in the ensuing battle.
Israeli government officials claimed that Hamas was also holding several Israeli soldiers and civilians captive.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared a state of war in Israel on the 7th, ordering the mobilization of all reserve forces.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also convened an emergency meeting of senior government officials and virtually declared war against the Israeli military and settlers, saying that the Palestinian people have the right to defend their right to self-defense.
Egypt is a country that formally signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
Since then, Egypt has played the role of the most important mediator in the decade-long conflict and battle between Palestine and Israel, and French President Macron has established a special relationship with Egypt, frequently discussing pending issues over the phone.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.