Egyptian president, Saudi crown prince back Gaza ceasefire, reject regional escalation

UDATES WITH DETAILS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK
By Rania Abushamala and Tarek Chouiref
ISTANBUL (AA) – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called for avoiding regional escalation and ensuring the implementation of a ceasefire deal that ended Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip.

Sisi arrived in Saudi Arabia early Monday on a “brotherly visit” for talks with bin Salman.

An Egyptian presidency statement talks between Sisi and bin Salman focused on developments in the Gaza Strip and emphasized the need for all parties to adhere to the ceasefire agreement to halt the war and implement US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.

They also called for increasing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave without obstacles and accelerating early recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Both leaders reaffirmed their rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land, stressing that the solution lies in launching a comprehensive political process leading to the implementation of a two-state solution, the statement.

The US-backed ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since Oct. 10, halting Israel’s two-year offensive that has killed more than 72,000 people, most of them women and children, and injured over 171,000 others since October 2023.

Despite the truce, Israeli forces have committed hundreds of violations through shelling and gunfire, killing 615 Palestinians and injuring 1,651 others, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The discussions between Sisi and bin Salman further addressed broader regional and international issues, with emphasis on avoiding escalation, supporting dialogue-based solutions and strengthening Arab solidarity to confront challenges, the statement said.

Monday’s visit comes amid rising tensions between the United State and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program, with Washington increasing its military presence in the Persian Gulf region.

Iran and the US are set to reconvene in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday to resume discussions for a potential nuclear deal.

Trump has warned of military action against Iran if a deal is not reached within 10 to 15 days.