Egyptian, Palestinian leaders discuss Gaza conflict, Palestinian issue

CAIRO -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas discussed on Monday the current situation in the Palestinian territories, mainly the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

During a meeting in the Egyptian capital Cairo, Abbas reviewed the latest developments of the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and the "catastrophic human tragedy" in the seaside enclave, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

In addition, Abbas talked about the Israeli escalation and violence in the West Bank, the statement added.

For his part, Sisi underlined Egypt's intensified efforts and ongoing contacts with various parties to push for a ceasefire and the immediate entry of humanitarian aid in sufficient quantities into Gaza, to end the suffering of civilians in the coastal territory.

Meanwhile, the two leaders stressed the pivotal role of the Palestinian Authority and the necessity of taking all measures to support it in fulfilling its role.

They also affirmed that the Palestinian issue requires the international community and active forces to assume the highest levels of historical, political and humanitarian responsibility, to work towards a just and comprehensive settlement, which includes the establishment and recognition of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Sisi and Abbas considered that this is the primary guarantee for security and stability in the region, categorically rejecting any efforts or attempts aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause or displacing Palestinians outside their lands.

Israel has been fighting with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Oct 7, 2023, after the Palestinian faction launched a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. The Israeli army has so far killed more than 23,000 Palestinians in its military operations in the enclave, the Gaza-based health ministry said Monday.