Egypt, Jordan, France oppose Rafah attack, call for immediate cease-fire in Gaza

By Ibrahim Khazin

CAIRO (AA) – Egypt, Jordan, and France have opposed any potential Israeli attack on Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip, calling for an immediate cease-fire in the besieged enclave.

The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and France – Sameh Shoukry, Ayman Safadi, and Stephane Sejourne, respectively – expressed their opposition to a possible Israeli attack on Rafah in a joint statement released on Saturday evening following a meeting in Cairo.

The ministers called for “an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, and the release of all hostages,” said the statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

They expressed their concern about "the appalling humanitarian consequences, famine, and collapse of the health system in the Gaza Strip."

The top diplomats declared their rejection of "any attempts at displacement and forced migration of the Palestinian people."

They also demanded the swift, secure, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid directly to the civilian population in need both inside and outside the Gaza Strip.

They asked Israel to remove all obstacles to allow and facilitate the use of all land crossings and increase the flow of humanitarian aid.

The foreign ministers reaffirmed the importance of ensuring access and freedom of movement to Gaza and throughout its territory, including its northern part, as well as respecting and protecting all humanitarian workers.

They declared their opposition to any military attack on Rafah, which houses 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, warning that any attack on the city "would result in severe loss of life and exacerbate the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip."

The top diplomats also advocated for maintaining the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem without any administrative changes.

They also expressed their “deep concern about the increasing pressures against Christian and Muslim communities in Jerusalem.”

Each of the three ministers underscored "the necessity of implementing the two-state solution … and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state ... with the aim of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security."

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack led by Hamas in which nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed.

More than 32,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed in Gaza, in addition to mass destruction, displacement and famine conditions.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala