Egypt has called on Friday on all parties to exercise maximum self-restraint and heed the efforts undertaken to de-escalate the situation in order to avoid bloodshed and protect lives after Israel exchanged strikes with Palestinians militants in Gaza and Lebanon over the past 48 hours.
“Egypt is deeply concerned over the rapid and dangerous escalation in the region during the last 48 hours, which started with the raid by Israeli forces on Al-Aqsa Mosque and their attacks on worshippers in Ramadan, then followed by the launching of rockets toward Israel before Israeli airstrikes on areas in South Lebanon and the Gaza Strip and the continuation of confrontations and violence in various forms,” read a statement released on Friday afternoon by Ahmed Abu Zeid, the spokesperson of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Egypt calls on all parties exercise maximum self-restraint and cooperate with the efforts that are being carried out de-escalate the situation in order to avoid bloodshed and protect lives, warning of the extreme dangers that could threaten the region if the current wave of violence continues,” stressed the satetment.
Earlier on Friday, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly appealed to “all parties” to de-escalate after Israel bombarded the Gaza Strip and Lebanon in retaliation for several dozen rockets fired from both territories.
Russia on Friday also called on Israel, the Palestinians and Lebanon to end the “escalation” of violence, saying it was “deeply” concerned.
“We call on the parties involved in the conflict to refrain from confrontational steps, to act in the interests of preventing further escalation, ending violence and restoring a sustainable ceasefire,” the foreign ministry said.
Source : Ahram
