Egypt warns against Israeli ground operation in Gaza, urges immediate ceasefire

Egypt has reiterated a warning against Israel’s efforts to render the Gaza Strip uninhabitable.

President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, gave the warning regarding Israel’s proposed ground military operation in the city of Rafah, situated in the southern Gaza Strip.

Sisi was speaking during a joint press conference held on Wednesday at the Al Ittihadiyya palace alongside Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, who was on a two-leg tour to Cairo and Israel.

He said such a move would threaten the lives of over 1.5 million displaced individuals currently taking refuge in the region.

Sisi, who noted the actions of the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while also stressing Israel’s responsibility to protect the displaced population, as mandated by international law.

The president pointed out that tensions in the West Bank are detrimental to the lives of Palestinians in the region, adding that the suffering of Palestinians across all occupied territories can only be alleviated through the recognition of the State of Palestine, granting it full United Nations membership, and implementing a two-state solution per international norms.

While appreciating the role of Egypt role at all levels in containing the crisis in the Gaza Strip, the Dutch PM noted that the situation in the enclave is a tragic one and more aid must be brought in.

Rutte emphasized the urgent need for more aid to enter Gaza due to the tragic situation there, calling for the safe arrival of aid to Gazans.