CAIRO, 18 May 2021: Since the start of Israeli attacks on Gaza Strip and their clashes with civilians in the West Bank and Jerusalem, Egypt has taken political and diplomatic steps to encourage ceasefire, condemn the Israeli aggression, and support the Palestinian’s legitimate rights.
Egypt’s Sisi reiterates condemnation of Israeli aggression
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi discussed the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday, May 17, and affirmed Egypt's steadfast position in this regard.
During the meeting, Sisi called for putting an end to acts of violence as soon as possible, and reaching a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of their independent state in accordance with international references.
On the sidelines of a France-held conference supporting Sudan's Transitional Period and the Funding African Economies Summit, Sisi affirmed to reporters that Egypt is always exerting efforts in this regard, saying “Hope to end this conflict exists as long as all of us are working together.”
Egypt to allocate $500 million for Gaza rebuilding effort & provides training for young Palestinian cadres
The presidency announced on Tuesday the allocation of $500 million as part of an Egyptian initiative for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
As per the presidential directives issued during the trilateral summit with France and Jordan in Paris, specialized Egyptian companies will be involved in the reconstruction process.
The Egyptian initiative will include training young Palestinian cadres in developmental programmes in order to become acquainted with the latest developments in management, leadership, and technology.
The training programmes will be provided by the country's National Training Academy (NTA) in partnership with major international institutions.
Egypt opens Rafah border crossing for Palestinians wounded in Israeli attacks
On May 16, Egypt opened on Sunday the Egyptian-Palestinian Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip, exceptionally, to receive the injured Palestinians from the strip.
The Egyptian Red Crescent office in North Sinai stated that they are ready at the crossing to receive the injured at any time, assuring that they are working around the clock.
The country announced state of readiness in in a number of hospitals to treat the injured Palestinians who were wounded by the Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.
The hospitals have enough blood bags and a medicine supply, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.
Egypt's FM discusses with Arab and Foreign officials ways to end Israeli-Palestine conflict
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received a phone call on Sunday, May 16, from U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken as they discussed the ongoing Israeli aggression against Palestinians. Both ministers highlighted the importance of the strong strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt," the statement added.
Moreover, Shoukry has received calls from Tunisian and Jordanian counterparts on efforts deployed to end the Israeli aggression and clashes on Palestinian territories.
In two phone calls with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Heiko Maas and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell on Wednesday, Shoukry called for the necessity to resume peace efforts for establishing an independent Palestinian state on the border of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Egypt’s FM calls upon Israeli counterpart to cease Israeli attacks on Palestinian territories
In a way to deescalate the clashes between the Palestinians and the Israeli, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has conducted a call with his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi.
Shoukry stressed the need to cease the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian territories, and the importance of working to spare the peoples of the region further escalation and resorting to military means.
Egyptian religious institutions slam Israeli attacks on al-Quds, Gaza Strip
Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb has called on the world peoples and leaders to support the peaceful and oppressed Palestinian people in their legitimate and just cause towards recovering their right, their land and their sanctuaries.
He also slammed world’s silence towards the “violations” and “terrorism” committed by Zionists against Palestinians and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
On the other hand, the Head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Tawadros II condemned In a statement on Saturday the heinous Israeli attacks on al-Quds (East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hails Egypt’s ‘national stance’ supporting Gaza
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praises Egypt’s ‘national stance’ to support the Palestinian people facing the Israeli ongoing aggression.
In a Tuesday statement, Abbas expressed his high appreciation and thanks to president Abdel Fattah al Sisi, and his important initiative to contribute in supporting the Palestinian people to rebuild what was destroyed in Gaza.
Abbas said that this national and historic Egyptian stance proves the reality of Egypt and its role in the Arab world in supporting the Palestinian people and defending their rights until the establishment of their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, according Palestinian news agency WAFA.
He stressed that Egypt was and remains the strong supporter and defender of the Palestinian inalienable and historical rights, on top of which are the Islamic and Christian sanctities.
Since May 7, Israeli forces in the West Bank and Jerusalem have been engaged in clashes with civilians who were protesting forced displacement, particularly from Sheikh Jarrah eastern Jerusalem, and assaults on worshippers in Al Aqsa Mosque. And, since May 10, Israel has been shelling and carrying out airstrikes against Gaza Strip. The aggression has thus far incurred 236 deaths and 6,278 injuries, as reported by the Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA).
The strikes also caused the destruction of more than 200 residential units in Gaza Strip and 31 educational establishments, including schools, colleges, and vocational training centers. According to the United Nations, 40,000 Palestinians got displaced – mainly from the North to the South – while 2,500 lost their homes.
Wed, May. 19, 2021
