Egypt calls for an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon

Supports “all initiatives” aimed at “achieving broad and lasting calm” in the region

September 26 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday called for an “immediate” ceasefire in both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and said it supports “all initiatives” aimed at “achieving a broad and lasting calm” in the Middle East.

“Egypt will continue its efforts to work with regional and international parties to contain this dangerous escalation and demands an immediate, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon,” it said in a statement.

The ministry also warned that “Israeli practices and violations threaten to plunge the Middle East into a state of conflict and chaos that will expose the peoples of the region to serious consequences that are difficult to control.”

The United States and France on Wednesday called for a “temporary” 21-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah in preparation for a “diplomatic agreement” between the parties to “avoid further escalation on both sides of the border,” a proposal supported by the European Union and several countries, including Arab states.

In recent weeks, Lebanon has seen thousands of communication devices explode, leaving dozens dead and thousands injured, in an incident blamed on Israel; and has later suffered “targeted bombings” against several cities in the country, including the capital, Beirut, which have also left hundreds dead.

The escalation of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran that wields significant military and political clout in Lebanon, has raised fears of a possible expansion of the conflict into the Middle East.

The death toll from the military offensive unleashed by the Israeli army against Gaza following the attacks carried out on October 7 by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and other Palestinian factions has exceeded the threshold of 41,500, according to confirmation on Thursday by the authorities of the enclave, controlled by the Islamist group.