Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi criticizes Israel’s measures in Gaza.
– Israel’s reaction extends beyond the right to self-defence, and constitutes collective punishment, says the president, according to Reuters.
US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken has today arrived in Cairo to hold talks with Sisi.
– We completely reject targeting civilians, says the president to Blinken.
– Must be taken seriously
On Saturday evening, the Israeli military said in a statement that it was preparing for a coordinated attack on the Gaza Strip, including air, ground and naval forces.
On Sunday afternoon, the offensive had not yet been launched, despite the fact that the evacuation deadline expired on Saturday at 15:00 Norwegian time.
Will strengthen aid
Sisi says Egypt has stepped up diplomatic efforts to strengthen aid to Gaza and help calm the conflict.
Several countries have established aid on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, as a result of the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt has spoken with the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry.
She writes that on X.
DIALOGUE: Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt has spoken to Egypt’s foreign minister about the situation in Gaza. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet Show more
– Important conversation with my friend Shoukry about Gaza, the importance of humanitarian access, how to use the AHLC (donor country group for Palestine), she writes, and emphasizes the need for political predictability.
– The situation in Gaza is already serious, and is getting worse every hour. Civilians must be protected, the foreign minister continues.
The Gaza Strip borders Rafah in Egypt in the south.
The Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip was asked to evacuate to Egypt on Saturday. It was reported about a possible agreement that foreigners could get out, but the population was met by a closed border.
2023-10-15 14:26:15
#Collective #punishment
