Egyptian, Iranian FMs discuss situation in war-ravaged Gaza
Dec 26, 2023
Cairo [Egypt], December 26: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian discussed on Monday the situation in the Gaza Strip and bilateral issues between the two countries.
During a phone conversation, the two ministers exchanged visions and assessments about the deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions in the Palestinian enclave, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
They also explored ways to coordinate international efforts to ease the suffering of the Palestinians, the statement said.
Shoukry briefed Amir-Abdollahian on Egypt's efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire and ensure unhindered access to humanitarian aid to Gaza, the statement said.
He also emphasized the need to fully implement a recent UN Security Council resolution that calls for establishing an international mechanism to facilitate and monitor the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
The latest tally by the Gaza-based Health Ministry showed on Monday that the Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks has reached 20,674, and 54,536 others were wounded since the conflict broke out on Oct. 7.
Meanwhile, 156 Israeli soldiers were killed during Israel's ground offensive in Gaza, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The ground operation was launched in retaliation for the Hamas' attack in Israel on Oct. 7 that left about 1,200 Israelis killed and more than 200 captivated.
Source: Xinhua
