Cairo and Washington Discuss Cease-Fire Efforts in Gaza and Lebanon

CAIRO: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a phone conversation to discuss efforts aimed at achieving an immediate cease-fire and establishing calm in Gaza and Lebanon.

According to Anadolu Agency, the phone call between the two officials focused on ongoing efforts to secure an immediate cease-fire in Gaza as part of a broader agreement for the release of hostages. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday highlighting these discussions. Abdelatty emphasized the urgent need for Israel to halt its escalation and to remove barriers to humanitarian aid, underscoring the critical importance of providing unconditional humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

The conversation also addressed the situation in Lebanon, with both parties elaborating on initiatives to swiftly reach a cease-fire. They condemned ongoing Israeli violations and infringements on Lebanese sovereignty. The tensions in Lebanon have escalated since Israel launched a sizable air c
ampaign last month against what it claims are Hezbollah targets, marking an intensification from the ongoing cross-border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel further expanded the conflict this year by initiating an incursion into southern Lebanon on October 1. In over a year of its offensive on Gaza, official figures report that Israel has killed nearly 43,000 people and injured over 100,000 others.