Barran Press
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi warned on November 6, 2024, that the region is at risk of sliding into a large-scale regional war, stressing the importance of collective efforts to avert such a conflict.
His remarks came during a joint press conference with Estonian President Alar Karis, who is visiting Egypt for the first time. According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, Sisi emphasized the need for increased cooperation to strengthen bilateral relations.
During their discussions, Sisi highlighted the pressing regional issues, placing particular focus on the Palestinian cause. He outlined Egypt's ongoing efforts to halt the "unjustified and continuous Israeli escalation" in Gaza and Lebanon, noting that Israeli attacks have expanded to include Yemen and Syria.
Sisi reiterated the critical importance of concerted efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, preventing the region from descending into a widespread war. He underscored the necessity of establishing a sovereign Palestinian state along the borders of June 4, 1967, as a cornerstone for stability in the Middle East.
Egypt and Qatar have been mediating for months to resolve the ongoing conflict in Gaza and facilitate prisoner exchanges. Despite these efforts and multiple proposals for peace, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to impose new conditions that hinder agreements.
The discussions between Sisi and Karis also covered various regional and international issues, including the situations in Libya, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Red Sea security, and the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Both leaders agreed on the importance of intensifying international efforts to address these crises and finding peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts to cement peace and stability.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with U.S. support, has been accused of committing genocide in Gaza, resulting in approximately 146,000 Palestinian casualties, predominantly women and children, alongside over 10,000 missing persons amid widespread devastation and famine. Additionally, since September 23, 2024, attacks on Lebanon have led to 3,013 deaths and 13,553 injuries, including many children and women, with around 1.4 million displaced.