Egypt calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon

Jerusalem - Ma'an - Egypt called for an immediate, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, "in light of the escalation of the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, and the continued aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza." Egypt warned in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, once again, that Israeli practices and violations threaten to slide the Middle East into a state of confrontation and chaos, which will expose the peoples of the region to dangerous consequences that are difficult to control. Egypt stressed that it will continue its efforts to communicate with regional and international parties to contain this dangerous escalation, expressing its support for all proposed initiatives and arrangements that would lead to a comprehensive and permanent calm in the region. The statement stressed that the key to this calm remains linked to stopping the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and implementing the relevant Security Council resolutions. The Egyptian statement comes after 12 countries and organizations called in a joint statement issued at dawn on Thursday for a temporary ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah, in order to allow for diplomatic efforts, while the statement did not include a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Source: Maan News Agency