Could Egypt and Britain Foster Peace After Israel-Iran Ceasefire?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Egypt and Britain stress the importance of diplomatic discussions.
- The ceasefire followed nearly two weeks of hostilities.
- Humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip is urgently needed.
- Both leaders reaffirm the strength of Cairo-London ties.
- Call for a fair resolution for the Palestinian people.
Cairo, June 27 (NationPress) The President of Egypt, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, and the Prime Minister of Britain, Keir Starmer, engaged in a telephonic conversation to deliberate on the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran. They advocated for a diplomatic approach towards achieving a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis, as stated by the Egyptian presidency.
During their discussion on Thursday, the two leaders highlighted the necessity to "commit to returning to the negotiating table for a peaceful resolution of the crisis and to avoid military action," as per the official statement.
Sisi and Starmer expressed their approval of the de-escalation that followed the ceasefire, initiated earlier this week after almost two weeks of military confrontations between Israel and Iran, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
The conflict ignited on June 13, when Israel executed a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and strategic sites. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory. The truce, which ensued following unexpected U.S. strikes on Iran, averted further escalation in the region.
Sisi emphasized the criticality of leveraging the current calm to establish "an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip" and to facilitate the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance to the enclave's residents.
He reiterated Egypt's longstanding commitment to alleviating the plight of the Palestinian people and urged the international community to strive for "a fair and comprehensive solution" that includes the formation of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In response, Starmer acknowledged Egypt's pivotal role in fostering regional stability and reaffirmed Britain's eagerness to collaborate and consult with Egypt on various regional matters of mutual concern, according to the statement.
The two leaders also reiterated the strength of the bilateral relationship between Cairo and London, expressing their dedication to enhancing cooperation in the economic and investment sectors.