US and Egyptian presidents discuss efforts to secure hostage release and Gaza humanitarian crisis
- In Reports
- 06:33 PM, May 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
US President Joe Biden recently engaged in a telephonic conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, focusing on ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In their dialogue, Biden expressed appreciation for El-Sisi's dedication to facilitating the flow of United Nations assistance from Egypt through the Kerem Shalom Crossing.
Furthermore, Biden reaffirmed his full commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at reopening the Rafah crossing, under conditions acceptable to both Egypt and Israel. As a testament to this commitment, Biden agreed to dispatch a senior team to Cairo in the coming week for further discussions on the matter.
The White House released a statement outlining the key points discussed during the telephonic conversation between Biden and El-Sisi.
In a statement on X, President Biden conveyed his recent conversation with Egyptian President Al-Sisi, focusing on ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden acknowledged Al-Sisi's commitment to facilitating the passage of UN assistance through the Kerem Shalom crossing from Egypt to Gaza.
During their discussion, Biden expressed appreciation for Al-Sisi's dedication to ensuring the continuous flow of assistance from Egypt to Gaza. The leaders also deliberated on new strategies to secure the release of hostages and achieve an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza. They agreed to maintain regular communication, both directly and through their respective senior national security teams.
The White House released a statement affirming President Biden's unwavering support for initiatives aimed at reopening the Rafah crossing, provided that the arrangements are acceptable to both Egypt and Israel. Additionally, Biden agreed to dispatch a senior team to Cairo the following week for further discussions on the matter.
President Biden extended gratitude to President Al-Sisi for his persistent efforts throughout the crisis to facilitate the uninterrupted flow of assistance from Egypt to Gaza.
The United Nations' top court has issued an order demanding Israel to halt its operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah and withdraw from the enclave, CNN reported. ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands issued the order in response to a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide, citing "immense risk" to the Palestinian population.
ICJ Judge Nawaf Salam stated, "Israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in the Rafah Governorate which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part."
This marks the third time this year the 15-judge panel has issued preliminary orders seeking to rein in the death from the international community, including the United States, not to proceed. The court noted that the humanitarian situation in Gaza had deteriorated "even further" since the court last ordered provisional measures in March.
Salam remarked, "The humanitarian situation is now to be characterized as disastrous." The ICJ highlighted that around 800,000 Palestinians had been displaced from Rafah as of May 18, after Israel began its military offensive on May 7.
Israel had warned civilians in parts of the city to evacuate ahead of its operation, but the court stated these efforts were not "sufficient to alleviate the immense risk to which the Palestinian population is exposed as a result" of Israel's incursion, as reported by CNN.
The court also expressed grave concern over the fate of the hostages abducted by Hamas and other armed groups after it attacked Israel on October 7. Israel launched its assault on the southern city of Rafah this month, forcing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee a city that had become a refuge to about half of the population's 2.3 million people, Al Jazeera reported.
Image source: ANI
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