ISTANBUL

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Wednesday that the international community must take a “decisive stance” and sincerely pursue an immediate cease-fire and enforce a humanitarian truce in Gaza.

Sisi made the remarks in a phone call with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during which they discussed the Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement by the Egyptian Presidency.

The statement said Sisi stressed that settling the Palestinian issue requires the implementation of the two-state solution and that military solutions will compromise the region's security and stability.

It also cited Sunak as saying that the UK’s position gives importance to protecting civilians, delivering aid and reaching a humanitarian truce in Gaza.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise offensive on Oct. 7.

More than 10,300 people have since been killed in the conflict, including at least 8,796 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar