Sisi urges removing Gaza aid obstacles, voices support to Lebanon after cyberattack in Blinken meeting

CAIRO – 18 September 2024: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Egypt on Wednesday, where they deliberated on developments in the Palestinian territories and the escalating regional situation, said a statement by the Egyptian Presidency.

In the presence of Head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel, Sisi called for decisive intervention to eliminate barriers hindering the delivery of huge quantities of much-needed aid to the people of Gaza, who are facing disastrous living and health conditions.

Sisi underlined the necessity to halt the Israeli violations in the West Bank and avert the escalating policies against Palestinian people.

Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, Israeli forces have targeted vital infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, displacing the majority of the 2.2 million inhabitants and pushing the region to the brink of famine.

Despite widespread international appeals for a ceasefire, the Israeli war has continued for nearly a year, killing over 41,000 individuals and injuring more than 95,000 others in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the enclave on Wednesday.

Additionally, Sisi and Blinken discussed joint efforts made by Egypt, the United States and Qatar to advance negotiations toward a ceasefire and a prisoner-captive swap and facilitate the humanitarian aid delivery.

Discussing the situation in the Palestinian territory, Sisi and Blinken emphasized that the two-state solution remains the track toward sustainable peace and security.

Lebanon pager blasts

Moreover, Sisi reiterated Egypt’s solidarity with Lebanon following the cyberattack that the country suffered recently, said the statement. The president emphasized Egypt’s commitment to Lebanon's security, stability, and sovereignty.

Sisi stressed Egypt’s rejection of attempts to escalate the conflict and expand its scope across the region, highlighting the need for all parties to demonstrate responsibility.

Sisi and Blinken agreed on intensifying efforts between the two countries to achieve de-escalation and restore regional peace and security.

The Lebanese health ministry reported at least nine fatalities, including a young girl, and 2,800 injuries following an Israeli operation triggering the detonation of hundreds of pagers across Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon.

CNN revealed that the assault was a coordinated effort between Israel’s intelligence service, the Mossad, and the Israeli military.

Lebanon swiftly denounced the incident as a "criminal Israeli aggression," with the Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications declaring a day of mourning on Wednesday for the victims of the attack.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate against the Israeli operation, asserting that Tel Aviv will face "its fair punishment."