Egypt and Greece have called for a cease-fire in Gaza and the stabilization of a fragile truce in Lebanon during a meeting between their leaders in Cairo. Despite ongoing conflict resulting in high civilian casualties in Gaza, efforts for a cease-fire have stalled. The discussions also highlighted the need to reinforce agreements in Lebanon related to ongoing violations and aimed at ensuring lasting peace.
On Wednesday, during a meeting held in Cairo, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis jointly called for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and emphasized the need to stabilize a tenuous truce in Lebanon. Their discussions took place on the sidelines of the 10th Trilateral Cooperation Mechanism Summit, which included representatives from Egypt, Greece, and the Greek Cypriot Administration.
The two leaders underscored their commitment to achieving a cease-fire in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid access to the Palestinian enclave and progress towards a two-state solution. Since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023, the Israeli army has reportedly continued aggressive operations in the region, resulting in over 45,900 fatalities, predominantly affecting women and children. This escalation persists despite a United Nations Security Council resolution advocating for an immediate cease-fire.
Negotiations for both a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap have stalled, attributed largely to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to suspend military actions. Furthermore, discussions during the meeting expanded to regional concerns, particularly the ongoing challenges in Libya, Syria, and Sudan.
Regarding Lebanon, President Sisi and Prime Minister Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of reinforcing a fragile cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, as well as implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for an end to hostilities and delineates a demilitarized zone between Israel and Hezbollah. Since this resolution was enacted, Lebanese authorities have documented over 400 violations by Israel, resulting in numerous casualties.
The situation in Gaza remains critical, with escalating violence leading to significant civilian casualties and humanitarian crises. Ongoing conflict has impeded relief efforts, and international calls for a cease-fire have become urgent. The summit in Cairo, therefore, reflects a growing concern among regional leaders about the implications of this conflict on stability in the broader Middle East. The context also includes historical tensions surrounding Lebanon and Israel, particularly under UN Resolution 1701, aimed at mitigating cross-border conflicts.
In summary, the recent meeting between Egyptian and Greek leaders represents a concerted effort to address the urgent humanitarian and geopolitical crises in Gaza and Lebanon. Their appeal for a cease-fire underscores the necessity of international cooperation to stabilize these regions and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. The call to actualize UN Security Council resolutions illustrates a commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Middle East.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
