State media reported that China’s President Xi Jinping told Egypt’s prime minister on Thursday that Beijing hoped to work with his country to bring “more stability” to the Middle East. “China is willing to enhance cooperation with Egypt… and inject more certainty and stability into the region and the world,” Xi told Mostafa Madbouli at a meeting in Beijing, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The meeting comes as the Israel-Hamas conflict casts a shadow over the Middle East. A deadly hospital strike on Tuesday night sparked fury in Arab countries that back Hamas, causing protests across the region and putting millions of people at risk of displacement. The White House says the US government assesses that Israel was not responsible for the attack, but many Palestinians blame Israel and accuse it of using the war to cover up war crimes.
Egypt’s government has pushed for the UN to allow more aid into Gaza, where up to 20 trucks are stockpiled at the border with Israel. It has also urged Israeli officials to agree to open the Rafah crossing, a key passage into the besieged enclave. But there are reportedly delays as Israel negotiates with the United Nations over who will be allowed to enter Gaza.
Palestinian leaders have vowed to continue the fight against Israel amid the tensions. On Monday, the group’s political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, said that resistance would continue until the occupation ends and the world recognizes Palestinian rights. He also condemned the killings of medical personnel and civilians in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the head of the European Union’s migration ministers warned that a full-scale war between Israel and Hamas could lead to mass displacement of people. He urged the parties to reach a deal “without delay” to release hostages held by the militants, including third-country citizens. Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, confirmed on Monday that efforts to release the third-country nationals had been focused on “the most urgent cases.”
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reached Tel Aviv on Thursday, becoming the second global leader to visit the war-torn region after US President Joe Biden. He is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders. He will also call for the delivery of more humanitarian aid to Gaza, his office said.
Sunak will urge a “sustained, comprehensive and durable ceasefire in the region” and “support efforts by Egypt and Arab states to open humanitarian corridors,” his office said. He is expected to travel to other Middle Eastern capitals to de-escalate the conflict. Earlier, a senior Israeli official said Israel would consider opening the Gaza crossing at the end of the week. If that happens, it will mark the first time in 12 days that the Palestinian territory has had a clear passage to the outside world. According to the UN, the Gaza clashes have killed at least 4,000 people, most of them Palestinians. The death toll includes more than 1,200 Israelis and more than 2,100 Palestinians from both sides.
