Putin, al-Sissi pledge efforts for ceasefire in Gaza war
An Egyptian official stated that President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have committed to collaborating in order to reach a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
- Diplomacy
- DPA
- Published Date: 06:53 | 09 December 2023
- Modified Date: 06:53 | 09 December 2023
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday pledged to work together to achieve a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, according to an Egyptian official.
Al-Sissi and Putin discussed regional developments, notably the situation in Gaza, in a phone conversation, Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said.
"The two presidents agreed to continue to act, in earnest, to reach a ceasefire, stressing the imperative need for the international community to assume its responsibilities in this regard," he added in an English statement.
Their talk came a day after the UN Security Council failed to pass a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war after the US used its veto power.
Earlier this month, fighting between Israel and Hamas resumed after a seven-day truce expired, exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, is worried about a potential mass exodus from neighbouring Gaza into its territory.
Al-Sissi had repeatedly said his country rejects the forced displacement of Palestinians to Egypt's Sinai, saying this migration would undermine the Palestinian cause.
The Gaza war has cast a shadow on Egypt's presidential election due to begin Sunday with al-Sissi widely expected to win a third term in office.
Despite growing discontent with economic woes in Egypt, al-Sissi's approach to the Gaza war has regained him some popular support at home.
Al-Sissi, an ex-army chief, has ruled Egypt since 2014.
Al-Sissi and Putin discussed regional developments, notably the situation in Gaza, in a phone conversation, Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy said.
"The two presidents agreed to continue to act, in earnest, to reach a ceasefire, stressing the imperative need for the international community to assume its responsibilities in this regard," he added in an English statement.
Their talk came a day after the UN Security Council failed to pass a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war after the US used its veto power.
Earlier this month, fighting between Israel and Hamas resumed after a seven-day truce expired, exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation in the densely populated Gaza Strip.
Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, is worried about a potential mass exodus from neighbouring Gaza into its territory.
Al-Sissi had repeatedly said his country rejects the forced displacement of Palestinians to Egypt's Sinai, saying this migration would undermine the Palestinian cause.
The Gaza war has cast a shadow on Egypt's presidential election due to begin Sunday with al-Sissi widely expected to win a third term in office.
Despite growing discontent with economic woes in Egypt, al-Sissi's approach to the Gaza war has regained him some popular support at home.
Al-Sissi, an ex-army chief, has ruled Egypt since 2014.
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