Egyptian President Sisi Says Israel Is Avoiding Efforts to Reach a Ceasefire in Gaza

JAAKRTA - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said at a summit of Arab leaders in Manama, Bahrain Thursday, Israel continues to avoid efforts to reach a ceasefire in the war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, with his country mediating and hosting peace efforts.

"We find that Israel continues to run away from its responsibilities and evades the efforts made to reach a ceasefire," said President Sisi, quoted by Reuters, May 17.

President Sisi added that Israel is launching its military operation in Rafah, the southern border city between Egypt and Gaza, using the city's border from the Palestinian side "to tighten the siege of the enclave."

"Those who think that security and military solutions are capable of securing interests or achieving security are delusional," President Sisi added.

Israel and Egypt blamed each other for closing the crossing, which is a vital aid route to the coastal region, where the humanitarian crisis is worsening and some people are at risk of starvation.

Israel said on Tuesday Egypt should reopen the Rafah crossing and allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, prompting Cairo to condemn what it described as a "desperate attempt" to blame the aid blockade.