“Egypt is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the escalating violence between Gaza and Israel,” according to his office, following three days of conflict that claimed over 1,300 lives.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi engaged in discussions with UAE’s Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aiming to “intensify discussions and diplomatic efforts to stop military escalation,” as stated by Sisi’s spokesperson on Monday.
It’s worth noting that Abu Dhabi normalized relations with Israel in 2020 through the US-backed Abraham Accords, marking a historic shift over four decades after Egypt became the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
On Sunday, President Sisi also had a conversation with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, highlighting the perilous “absence of political prospects.” Notably, Abbas administers the occupied West Bank, while Gaza is under the governance of Hamas.
Furthermore, President Sisi spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Sunday. Jordan plays a significant role as the custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and recognized Israel in 1994.
President Sisi’s diplomatic engagements have extended to include discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Charles Michel, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz since Saturday.
These diplomatic endeavors come against the backdrop of Hamas launching a multi-pronged attack on Israel on Saturday, prompting Israeli air strikes on Gaza in response. Casualties on both sides have been significant, with over 700 Israelis and 560 Palestinians reported dead.
Currently, no negotiations appear to be on the horizon, as Israel announced “a complete siege” on the blockaded Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the situation as a “long and difficult war.”
European Union foreign ministers are set to hold urgent talks on the Israel-Gaza situation, while in Cairo, the Palestine permanent representative has requested similar discussions within the Arab League.
