October 9, 2024 – Cairo, Egypt
In a joint press conference held in Cairo, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi urged Israel to cease its ongoing aggression against Lebanon and implement United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701. The resolution, adopted in 2006, calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and establishes the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) as the only authorized armed presence south of the Litani River.
The two ministers emphasized that Lebanon has expressed its readiness to comply with the resolution, and both Egypt and Jordan stressed the need for Israel to honor its commitments under international law. Safadi warned that the situation in Lebanon was becoming increasingly perilous due to continued Israeli strikes, which have claimed over 1,400 lives and injured more than 10,000 people since mid-September.
Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s support for Lebanon, particularly in strengthening its national institutions, including the Lebanese army, to ensure stability. He also underscored the critical role of UNIFIL forces and the importance of their protection in maintaining peace in southern Lebanon.
The ministers further condemned Israel’s refusal to agree to a 21-day ceasefire proposed by its allies, the United States and France, to facilitate the full implementation of Resolution 1701.
On the Gaza front, both foreign ministers denounced Israel’s blockade and military actions in the Palestinian territories, with Abdelatty condemning the siege of Gaza, ongoing airstrikes, and Israel’s control over the Rafah border crossing. He called for an end to Israel’s violations of international law and urged continued support for Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
As the conflict intensifies in Lebanon and Gaza, Egypt and Jordan reiterated their calls for de-escalation and a political resolution to the crises.
