Egypt backs regional initiatives for de-escalation, says Gaza cease-fire ‘key to peace’

CAIRO

Egypt said Thursday it supports all initiatives to achieve a comprehensive de-escalation in the region, stressing that the key to peace lies in halting Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.

The Foreign Ministry statement came after joint declarations from the US, Western and Arab nations, excluding Egypt, that supported a temporary 21-day cease-fire along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Egypt warned that “Israeli actions and violations are pushing the Middle East towards uncontrollable chaos and confrontation, endangering the region’s populations,” after an escalation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including strikes in Beirut, and Tel Aviv’s assault against Gaza.

The statement reaffirmed “Egypt’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to contain the escalating conflict,” and urged “an immediate, comprehensive, and permanent cease-fire in both Gaza and Lebanon.”

The Foreign Ministry reiterated that “the key to such de-escalation remains linked to ending the brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza and implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”

According to the US-based Axios website, American officials, an Israeli official, and two other sources revealed Wednesday that the administration of President Joe Biden is working on a “new diplomatic initiative” to temporarily halt fighting in Lebanon and resume cease-fire talks in Gaza.

Additionally, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced at the UN Security Council on Wednesday that France, in coordination with the US, is working on a plan for a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon to pave the way for negotiations. An announcement on the plan is expected soon, he added.

Israel has pounded Lebanon since early Monday, killing at least 677 victims and injuring more than 2,500, according to figures released by the Health Ministry.

The Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah, and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of Israel's onslaught against Gaza, which has killed more than 41,500 victims, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, last Oct. 7.

The international community has warned against the strikes on Lebanon, as they raise the specter of spreading the Gaza conflict regionally.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio