Egyptian President: Ceasefire Must Be The Beginning Of International Recognition Of A Palestinian Country

JAKARTA - Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed that it is time to end the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, listen to common sense and wisdom, and prioritize peace and diplomatic solutions, while emphasizing the dangers of expanding regional conflict coverage which will have a negative impact when accepting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Blinken arrived in Israel on Sunday to begin his ninth trip to the Middle East, since the conflict in Gaza between Palestinian militants and Israel broke out on October 7, 2023.

Quoted from WAFA on August 21, the President of Egypt said stopping the bloodshed should be the main driver for all parties.

"The ceasefire in Gaza should be the beginning of broader international recognition of the Palestinian state and the application of a two-state solution, as this is the basic guarantor of stability in the region," President Sisi said after meeting Foreign Minister Blinken.

According to Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Ahmed Fahmy, the meeting underscores the need to advance joint efforts to restore security and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Blinken briefed Egyptian President on the results of his visit to Israel, affirming the United States' commitment to efforts to calm the situation and reach an agreement, as well as delivering great appreciation for Egypt's role and its constructive efforts in this regard.

The latest conflict in Gaza broke out when Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas attacked Israel's southern region on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Meanwhile, Gaza's medical authorities confirmed that the death toll of Palestinians as a result of the Israeli retaliation has so far killed 40,173 civilians and injured 92,857 others.