Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed on Wednesday that he and his German counterpart President Frank-Walter Steinmeier had agreed on the importance of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and increasing humanitarian aid, while pushing for the release of hostages.
During a joint press conference at Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo, El-Sisi emohasized that Egypt is encouraging all parties to reach a ceasefire agreement. He highlighted that over 40,000 Palestinians died from the Israeli aggression, a third of which were women and children, and over 100,000 others received injuries.
El-Sisi also stressed Egypt’s efforts to mediate, particularly with Hamas, in cooperation with Qatar and the U.S., to halt the fighting. He pointed out that hunger is being used as a weapon against the people of Gaza, which challenges long-held human rights values.
The Egyptian president called on Europe to increase efforts to pressure the involved parties into an agreement that would bring stability and alleviate Palestinian su
ffering.
Describing the situation in Gaza as a “blatant violation of human rights,” El-Sisi warned of the risk of escalating conflict across the region, including in Sudan, Libya, the West Bank, South Lebanon, and Yemen.
He also touched on the crucial issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, urging for a legally binding agreement with Ethiopia on its filling and operation, which has been under negotiation for over a decade.
El-Sisi noted challenges Egypt faces along its borders, particularly in Sudan, Libya, and Gaza, and how this instability has led to over 9 million refugees arriving in Egypt. These individuals have been integrated into Egyptian society rather than being housed in camps.
On migration, El-Sisi highlighted that since 2016, Egypt has successfully prevented illegal migration by sea to Europe, out of humanitarian and ethical concerns. He also addressed the impact of global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, and the Gaza conflict, on Egypt.
A
s for the Egypt-German relations, El-Sisi affirmed that Steinmeier’s visit to the Egyptian capital is a testament to the ever-strong ties the nations enjoy.
Steinmeier expressed Germany’s reliance on Egypt’s pivotal role in the region, especially in these challenging times. He acknowledged Egypt’s burden of hosting millions of refugees and stressed the importance of international cooperation to resolve conflicts, particularly in Sudan. Steinmeier also emphasized Germany’s commitment to ending the war in Gaza, citing the need for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, including a German citizen, he praised Egypt’s essential role in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, describing the situation there as catastrophic. Germany, as the second-largest international donor to Gaza, has tripled its aid since 2023, a contribution that would not have been possible without Egypt’s support.
Steinmeier reiterated the importance of stability in the Red Sea region and the economic impact of actions by the Houthis on globa
l shipping. He highlighted the vital role of the Suez Canal, calling it a lifeline for Europe and the world.
Source: Kuwait News Agency