CAIRO: Egypt called for an international summit on Saturday to address the developments and future of the Palestinian issue, following a National Security Council meeting in Cairo headed by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi over the weekend.
The meeting discussed the regional situation, including the impact of Israel’s military onslaught in Gaza.
A statement from the president’s office, issued after a meeting of the council, said that Egypt rejected any plan to displace Palestinians “to the detriment of other countries” and that Egypt’s own security was a red line.
El-Sisi also proposed a summit to discuss the crisis, according to the statement.
“Egypt extends an invitation to host an international and regional summit to address the developments and future of the Palestinian issue,” according to the presidency.
The council emphasized that a two-state solution is the only way to support the Palestinian cause.
It rejected attempts to “liquidate the Palestinian cause at the expense of neighboring countries.”
The council urged for continued communication with international and regional partners to de-escalate the situation and protect civilians, adding that it was necessary to increase communication with international and regional relief organizations to provide much-needed aid to Gaza.
The council underscored Egypt’s readiness to exert any effort to achieve calm and launch and resume a genuine peace process.
The council affirmed that Egypt’s national security “is a red line and that there is no compromise in its protection.”
On Saturday, El-Sisi met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and exchanged views on the accelerating military escalation in the Gaza Strip.
The two sides emphasized the importance of reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the current crisis regarding the Palestinian issue.
El-Sisi also received phone calls from the French and Brazilian presidents on Saturday.
Earlier, Al-Qahera News TV reported, citing informed sources, that Egyptian authorities had refused the passage of foreign residents of Gaza through the Rafah crossing — except as part of a foreign aid delivery agreement.
The sources said that the Egyptian authorities refused to allow the Rafah crossing to be designated for the crossing of foreigners only.
Sources have stated that Egypt’s priority is to facilitate the arrival and transit of aid into Gaza.
