BANDUNG, SEATIZENS – On Wednesday, Egypt urged the international community to take immediate action to halt the ongoing Israeli military assaults in Gaza. This statement came from Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a press conference held in Cairo with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares.
Minister Abdelatty emphasized the importance of swift measures to prevent a humanitarian and medical disaster resulting from the Israeli attacks. He mentioned ongoing discussions with the United Nations about plans for humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, though he did not provide further details.
Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts
Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s continuous efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region. He referred to a recent meeting in Cairo between delegations from Fatah and Hamas that aimed to address the worsening Palestinian situation and support the Palestinian Authority.
It was also reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Cairo on Thursday (October 17) as part of Egypt’s diplomatic initiatives to ease regional tensions.
Call for Ceasefire by Spain
José Manuel Albares called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. He stressed that peace and stability in the region can only be achieved through the establishment of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution. Albares reaffirmed Spain’s position of not allowing the supply of weapons to Israel, either directly or through its territory, since the onset of the Israeli attacks in Gaza on October 7, 2023.
“This region needs de-escalation, not more weapons,” Albares stated. He also reiterated the importance of ending violence in Lebanon and fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which aims to maintain peace between Israel and Lebanon.
Casualties and Conflict Expansion
The Israeli assaults on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 42,400 individuals, mostly women and children, and injuries to more than 99,000 others. The conflict has spread to Lebanon, where Israeli attacks have killed over 1,500 people and injured more than 4,500 since September 23.
On October 1, despite international warnings about the Middle East nearing regional war, Tel Aviv expanded its military operations by launching ground attacks in southern Lebanon.
Read also : UNIFIL: United Nations Peacekeeping in Lebanon since 1978
The current situation in the region is alarming and requires immediate attention from the international community to prevent a larger humanitarian tragedy.
( Firyal Trinidad)
