Egypt, Qatar say Gaza mediation ongoing, 6 EU nations slam 'Israel'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites + Agencies
7 May 2025 17:44

Egypt and Qatar affirm ongoing joint Gaza mediation efforts as six European countries condemn "Israel's" escalation and warn against forced displacement in Gaza.

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A makeshift tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches across Gaza City, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 (AP)

Egypt and Qatar reaffirmed that their efforts on the mediation file are “ongoing, coordinated, and based on a unified vision aimed at ending the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.”

In a joint statement published by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, the two countries stressed that “attempts to sow division between brothers through doubt, distortion, or media escalation will not succeed and will not deter them from continuing their joint efforts to end this war and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe.”

They also affirmed that they “will not be drawn into any internal dynamics or side agendas that do not serve the interests of the Palestinian people.”

Egypt's el-Sisi rejects attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians

Separately, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi highlighted that the infrastructure in the Gaza Strip has been completely destroyed as a result of the Israeli war, stressing the need to facilitate the entry of more aid into Gaza.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the government headquarters in Athens, el-Sisi noted that developments in the Middle East stemming from the Israeli war on Gaza were discussed.

He reaffirmed Egypt’s rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land, emphasizing that the "two-state solution" remains the path toward ending the conflict in the Middle East.

Six European countries reject 'Israel's' expansion of Gaza operations

In parallel, the foreign ministers of six European countries issued a joint statement on Wednesday in response to "Israel’s" intentions to expand operations in the Gaza Strip and to establish a prolonged presence in the Palestinian enclave.

"Israel" has called up tens of thousands of reservists for the planned offensive, which comes after resumed Israeli attacks on Gaza in March ended a two-month truce.

'Conquest' of Gaza 'dangerous escalation'

An Israeli military official has said the expansion of operations would include the "conquest" of Gaza, holding territory and moving the Strip's population south "for their protection."

"This would mean crossing yet another line, marking a dangerous new escalation and jeopardizing any prospects of a viable Two-State solution," the foreign ministers of Spain, Norway, Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Iceland said in the statement, which was published on the official website of Iceland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement warned that "a further military escalation in Gaza will only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation for the civilian Palestinian population and threaten the lives of the hostages that remain in captivity."

Foreign Ministers of 🇮🇸 🇮🇪 🇱🇺 🇳🇴 🇸🇮 🇪🇸 in a Joint Statement: Express grave concern about reported Israeli plans in Gaza, which would mark a dangerous new escalation & jeopardize any prospects of a viable Two-State solution.

Full statement here: https://t.co/WVxdGlRvPB
— Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (@thorgkatrin) May 7, 2025

Demographic, territorial change in Gaza slammed

"We firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza, including any scheme that would force or facilitate the permanent displacement of its population, which would be in violation of international law," the top diplomats stressed.

They also expressed their strong opposition to "a system that does not ensure that the entire population gets access to humanitarian aid."

Gaza integral part of Palestine, belongs to Palestinians

"Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, which belongs to the Palestinian people," the statement affirmed.

It recalled that "for more than two months, Israeli authorities have blocked all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies from reaching the civilian Palestinian population in Gaza."

"Despite repeated calls on Israel to lift these measures and to facilitate relief, Israel has instead further tightened, rather than eased, the measures," it added.

"We call on Israel to immediately lift the blockade. It is essential to facilitate relief for all civilians in need, without discrimination, and to follow the other humanitarian principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality."

Basic services, humanitarian assistance vital

The European foreign ministers, who apart from Luxembourg represent countries that have recognized a Palestinian state, also called on "Israel to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance."

Elsewhere, the statement emphasized that "what is needed more urgently than ever is a resumption of a ceasefire, and the unconditional release of all hostages."