LOC18:27
15:27 GMT
CAIRO, May 1 (KUNA) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne affirmed on Wednesday their absolute rejection of any Israeli occupation attempt to wipe out the Palestinian cause by displacing Palestinians outside Gaza.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ambassador Ahmad Abu Zeid said in a statement that this came during a meeting between the two ministers within the framework of completing consultation and close coordination between them to resolve the crisis in Gaza and contain the regional escalation in the region.
The two ministers agreed to completely reject any ground military operation in Rafah City due to humanitarian risks and the threat to the stability of the region due to the presence of more than 1.4 million displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza, as it has become the only relatively safe area in the Strip.
They stressed the importance of supporting the efforts of the United Nations (UN) Chief Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs and Gaza Reconstruction Affairs, Sigrid Kach, to facilitate, coordinate and monitor the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
They agreed to continue close consultation on developments in Gaza and related regional developments, as well as to strengthen efforts to achieve a ceasefire and put the two-state solution in place.
Minister Shoukry stressed the importance of promoting the recognition of the Palestinian state on the 1976 borders as an important step to establish an independent Palestinian state and enhance the chances of the two-state solution.
He emphasized the need to provide more humanitarian aid in light of these deteriorating conditions, as well as pressuring Israel to open land crossings and enhance the access of aid into the Gaza Strip
Minister Shoukry stressed Egypt's on efforts to reach an agreement by putting forward implementable proposals to reach an agreement that pushes for a full ceasefire.
On her part, the French minister briefed his Egyptian counterpart on the outcome of his meetings during his recent visits to the Israeli occupation and Lebanon before his arrival in Egypt.
The French minister reviewed the results of his recent visit to Lebanon and his country's efforts to contain the escalation in southern Lebanon to prevent the spread of conflict in the region and spare Lebanon further instability, stressing that a possible truce in Gaza must be accompanied by a similar truce in Lebanon.
The talks saw an exchange of assessments on the ongoing truce negotiations between Hamas and the Israeli occupation mediated by Egypt to reach a ceasefire agreement and the exchange of detainees. (end)
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