Egyptian, Saudi FMs urge ceasefire in Gaza, ending siege of Palestinians

CAIRO – 28 January 2024: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry received Sunday his Saudi counterpart Faisal Bin Farhan at Al Tahrir Palace to discuss regional and international developments, especially in Gaza Strip.

They conferred over ways of accomplishing a ceasefire and sustainable delivery of aid, and also tackled developing mechanisms of bilateral cooperation on the political, economic, security, and cultural levels as well as coordination on different issues of mutual concern.

The two ministers held later a joint press conference where Minister Shokry underscored the salience of an immediate ceasefire, lifting the siege of Gaza Strip, and halting the collective punishment practices and forced displacement of Palestinians.

The Egyptian minister called on the international community to put an end to the Israeli behavior that does not abide by any UN Security Council resolutions, and pushes the region to a vicious cycle of violence. He equally underlined the importance of the two-state solution as a long-term resolution of the crisis, and of implementing the decisions of the International Court of Justice.

Minister Shokry expressed shock over allegations against UNRWA workers of being involved in violence, saying that such accusations must be based on investigations, asserting that the entity plays a major role in delivering aid to Palestinians.

Regarding Houthi attacks on vessels in Bab Al Mandab Strait, the Egyptian minister said that the root cause was the Gaza War. Hence, the origin of the Red Sea crisis must be eliminated in order to repel threats against freedom of navigation, global trade, and regional security.  

The minister added that the talks tackled the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan - which necessitates a truce and delivery of humanitarian aid – as well as the aftermath of the civil war in each of Libya and Syria.

On another front, Minister Shokry stated that Ethiopia did not abide by what had been agreed upon regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), urging the need for a legally binding agreement on the dam's filling and operation. He added that the current dispute had also been discussed with his Saudi counterpart.