On Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated that the conflict in Gaza has evolved beyond a political struggle or efforts to free hostages and has now become a situation of starvation, extermination, and the resolution of the Palestinian issue. He emphasized that Egypt will not act as a conduit for the displacement of the Palestinian population from their homeland.
During a press conference in Cairo alongside his Vietnamese counterpart, Lê Hồng Anh, Sisi remarked that the conditions in the Gaza Strip are being manipulated as a political bargaining chip. He reiterated his call to the international community, European nations, and U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene to halt the conflict and allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
Sisi noted that history will scrutinize and hold accountable many nations for their stance on the Gaza crisis, highlighting that global humanitarian conscience will not remain silent for long.
He dismissed claims of Egypt’s complicity in the blockade of Gaza as “bankruptcy” from those making such accusations, pointing out that over five thousand aid trucks in Egypt are prepared to enter Gaza as well as from other countries.
The president stressed that the residents of Gaza are subjected to systematic extermination, affirming that Egypt has not abandoned its role in providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.
He continued, “For the past twenty years, Egypt has made efforts to prevent escalations in Gaza,” asserting that the country has played a significant role in working to stop the war and facilitate aid into the region.
Sisi added, “We have assessed that any attempt at conflict would have devastating impacts on Gaza, particularly since this is the fifth war in which Egypt has taken an active positive role.”
He reiterated that “more than 70% of the humanitarian assistance that has entered Gaza is from Egypt,” pointing out that the Israeli side maintains control on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.
In response, the President of Vietnam expressed appreciation for Egypt’s efforts to end the war in Gaza and affirmed his country’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Sisi hosted the Vietnamese president at the Al-Ittihadeya palace to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations as well as to consult on regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.