CAIRO: Leaders from various countries, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, gathered in Cairo on Saturday to discuss the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, demanding an immediate ceasefire and substantial aid for Gaza. The meeting, hosted by Egypt, aimed to find a durable solution to the conflict.
Leaders from various countries, including Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine, joined the Cairo Peace Summit to call for urgent action to halt the devastating Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, while addressing the summit, emphasized the pressing need for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Over 4,400 innocent Palestinian civilians have been martyred so far since October 7 when Israel launched air strikes on Gaza Strip.
UN Chief Calls for Increased Aid for Gaza
Guterres appealed for substantial aid to Gaza, where 2.4 million people are deprived of food, fuel, and other necessities due to the complete siege imposed by Israel. He underscored that at least 100 aid trucks per day were required to meet the basic needs of the Gaza residents. Leaders from various nations, including King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, echoed the call for an immediate ceasefire and emphasized the Palestinians’ right to establish their state.
However, the absence of Israeli representation at the summit raised concerns among leaders. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly rejected Israeli orders to evacuate Palestinians from the north of the Gaza Strip. Abbas warned that such actions could lead to a forced displacement akin to the historical Nakba, a catastrophe referring to the expulsion of Palestinians during Israel’s creation in 1948.
King Abdullah II of Jordan openly criticized the international community’s silence, stating that the lack of action sent a dangerous message, suggesting that Palestinian lives were considered less valuable than Israeli lives. Egypt, as the host of the summit, stood at the forefront of diplomatic efforts, leveraging its historical role as a mediator between Israel and Palestine.
The summit concluded with a resounding call for a ceasefire, increased aid to Gaza, and a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
