President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi speaks during the Police Academy graduation on 10 October 2023. Photo courtesy of the Egyptian Presidency
“Safeguarding national security is my top responsibility, and there will be no compromise or complacency under any circumstances,” the president stressed.
El-Sisi’s remarks came during the Police Academy graduation ceremony for the class of 2023 on Tuesday.
During his speech, President El-Sisi warned that the current escalation between Israel and Palestinians could have implications that may affect the security and stability of the region.
Egypt, he noted, is intensifying its efforts at all levels to halt the current military confrontations, spare the blood of the Palestinian people, and protect civilians on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
Israel -- which declared a state of war Saturday in response to a surprise attack by Hamas in the early hours of the day -- has been launching airstrikes on Gaza since then, with tens of residential homes and buildings among structures hit -- without prior warning.
The Israeli airstrikes have left some 830 Palestinians dead, including 140 children and 105 women, and wounded over 4,250 people, according to media reports citing the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Saturday’s Hamas attack, named Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 900 Israelis and the capture of tens of others.
President El-Sisi reiterated that a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution is the path to achieving sustainable security for the Israeli people.
“Egypt hopes for a resolution of the Palestinian cause through negotiations leading to a just peace and the establishment of a Palestinian state,” he explained.
"However, Egypt will not allow the Palestinian cause to be liquidated at the expense of other parties," he stressed.
Over the past few hours, the Egyptian president had several phone conversations with world leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, Turkish President Erdogan, and the President of the UAE Mohamed bin Zayed to explore ways to stop violence escalation.
Earlier on Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry expressed concern over the increasing violence between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, urging both sides to exercise utmost restraint and protect civilians from further harm.
Shoukry also had phone conversations with various international and regional counterparts since the violence broke out to discuss ways to de-escalate the situation in the Gaza Strip.
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