Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan's Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh issued a stark warning on Thursday over the escalating humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing Israeli military operation in the Palestinian city of Rafah.
During a meeting in Cairo, the two leaders voiced their "full rejection" of Israel's invasion of Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency's office.
"The Israeli operation impedes the only safe exit of the wounded and sick Palestinians and hinders the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid," they emphasized in their joint statement.
Rafah, with a population of over 1 million internally displaced Palestinians who have sought refuge there since Israel's offensive began in October 2023, has been under intense Israeli bombardment since Monday night.
Al-Sisi and Khasawneh called on the international community to take immediate action to secure an enduring ceasefire and push for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state, which they stated is crucial for achieving regional security and stability.
The Israeli military campaign, which commenced on October 7th of last year, has precipitated a severe humanitarian emergency in the besieged Gaza Strip. Civilian casualties have mounted, and vital infrastructure has been significantly damaged, according to aid agencies operating in the region.
Jordan and Egypt, which both have peace treaties with Israel, have consistently advocated for a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
