File photo: Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In a statement on Monday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel’s approach reflects its “lack of will” to de-escalate and restore calm and peace in the region.
This inaction points to “Israel's clear intent to continue targeting civilians, exacerbating the catastrophic humanitarian situation, particularly in light of the blockade and starvation policies imposed on the strip's population,” read the statement.
Cairo also denounced the recent expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza, stating that Israel's actions contradict international efforts to end the war.
The statement added that Egypt “categorically” rejects this aggressive approach, which it said has placed the region on a "collision course" toward further escalation.
It added that Tel Aviv's disregard for all de-escalation efforts, continued expansion of settlements in Palestinian territories, and its withdrawal from the two-state solution path are the reasons for the heightened tensions in the region.
On 18 August, Hamas accepted the terms of a 60-day truce and prisoner exchange proposal presented by Egypt and Qatar, which was previously agreed to by Israel.
The proposal also requires Israeli forces to reposition closer to Gaza's border to allow humanitarian aid to enter starving Palestinians in the strip..
It also stipulated immediate negotiations between Israel and hamas on a broader agreement that would include guarantees for Gaza's postwar future and the possibility of a permanent ceasefire.
However, disregarding the Egyptian-Qatari proposal, Israel has pressed on with its military operations in Gaza City and maintained a blockade on humanitarian aid, including food, water, and medicine.
Despite the UN declaring Gaza a famine area in mid- August, Tel Aviv continued closure of all border crossings to the strip, allowing only a trickle of aid as part of its starvation policy against the civilians in Gaza, in defiance of international law.
Since the start of its genocidal war in October 2023, Israel has killed over 63,000 Palestinians and injured over 160,000 others, most of whom are women and children.
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