Egyptian President, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, held phone talks yesterday, during which they discussed regional and international efforts, to contain the ongoing deadly Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip.

“The call touched on consultation and coordination regarding efforts to stop the current escalation in the Gaza Strip, between the Palestinians and Israelis,” said the Egyptian presidency.

Sisi and Macron expressed “deep concern” over the dangerous deterioration of the situation, stressing the need for intensified international and regional efforts to stop the ongoing violence.

The Egyptian president noted, Egypt has contacted the Israeli and Palestinian sides, as well as, international and regional parties to contain the current escalation, according to the statement.

Sisi also warned that, further violence and escalation might drag the region into “a vicious circle of tension” and undermine regional stability and security.

Earlier yesterday, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 232 people and injured 1,697, according to the Palestinian enclave’s health ministry.

The Israeli raids followed earlier rocket attack by Hamas, that controls Gaza. Israeli medical sources said, the new round of conflict between the two sides left at least 150 Israelis dead.

Hamas also held some Israeli civilians and soldiers as hostages, as confirmed by Israeli officials.

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced yesterday that, Israel was “in a state of war” and ordered a full mobilisation of reserves.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, held an emergency meeting with senior officials, emphasising the right of the Palestinian people to defend themselves against Israeli forces and settlers.

Engaged in a peace treaty with Israel since 1979, Egypt has for years been a key regional peacemaker in the decades-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Source: Nam News Network