Egyptian President Al-Sissi Condemns Israel’s Response to Hamas Attack as ‘Collective Punishment’ in Gaza
Egypt’s President Al-Sissi Criticizes Israel’s Response to Hamas Attack as “Collective Punishment” on Gaza
In a recent statement, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi expressed deep concerns about Israel’s response to the recent Hamas attack, describing it as “collective punishment” on the people living in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Since the surprising attack by Hamas on October 7, Israel has launched multiple waves of airstrikes on Gaza, heightening concerns of a potential Israeli ground offensive in the region.
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During a meeting with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Cairo, President Al-Sissi remarked, “The ongoing actions, I believe, have surpassed the right to self-defense on Israel’s part and have transitioned into a form of collective punishment for the 2.3 million Palestinians residing in the Gaza Strip.”
Blinken’s visit to Egypt is part of a regional tour aimed at preventing the conflict between Israel and Hamas from escalating into a wider regional conflict. His diplomatic mission has taken him to Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
President Al-Sissi urged for the facilitation of humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza to alleviate the suffering of its people. “It is of utmost importance to de-escalate tensions and ensure that aid can reach the Gaza Strip,” he emphasized.
Israel’s restriction on the entry of essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicines into Gaza has raised concerns about the dire conditions faced by civilians in the impoverished region.
Egypt is actively working to manage the situation and prevent other parties from becoming involved in the conflict. President Al-Sissi chaired a meeting of Egypt’s National Security Council on Sunday to address the escalating violence in Gaza. A presidential statement issued after the meeting highlighted Egypt’s commitment to intensifying efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the neighboring Gaza Strip, especially in light of concerns about mass displacement.
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Currently, the Rafah border crossing, which serves as the only point of entry from Gaza to Egypt, is closed due to Israeli bombardment in response to the attacks. Egyptian sources suggest that the passage of foreign nationals from Gaza through this crossing will be linked to facilitating aid deliveries to the strip.
The Israeli military has advised civilians in northern Gaza to move south in anticipation of a widely expected incursion, which was reportedly delayed due to adverse weather conditions.
Egypt, being the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, is deeply concerned about a potential mass exodus of Gazans into its territory. Egypt firmly stated on Sunday that it “rejects and denounces the displacement policy or any attempts to undermine the Palestinian cause at the expense of neighboring countries.” The presidential statement also revealed Egypt’s plans to host a regional and international conference to discuss the “developments and future of the Palestinian cause.”
The situation in Gaza remains tense, with international efforts continuing to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.