World leaders convene in Cairo to address Israel-Hamas conflict
World leaders gathered in Cairo to discuss ways to de-escalate the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, amid growing concerns about a broader Middle East crisis.
As of October 7, 2023, the death toll in Gaza from Israel’s bombardment reached 4,137, with 13,300 reported injuries and over 1,000 people missing, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Israeli authorities reported more than 1,400 deaths and 3,400 injuries within Israel.
The event, known as the ‘Cairo Summit for Peace,’ brought together representatives from various countries, including Jordan, France, Germany, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Qatar, and South Africa, along with officials from the United Nations and the European Union, according to Al Jazeera.
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Egyptian President Abdel el-Sisi opened the summit, urging leaders to establish a roadmap to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and revive the path to peace between Israel and the Palestinians..
The plan outlined goals such as delivering aid to Gaza, agreeing to a ceasefire, and commencing negotiations for a two-state solution.
King Abdullah of Jordan expressed his concerns, stating, “All civilian lives matter.
“The relentless bombing campaign underway in Gaza as we speak is cruel and unconscionable on every level. It is the collective punishment of besieged and helpless people. It is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. It is a war crime.
“Anywhere else, attacking civilian infrastructure and deliberately starving an entire population of food, water, electricity and necessities would be condemned. Accountability would be enforced … but not in Gaza”.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, present at the summit, called for humanitarian corridors to be opened and affirmed the Palestinian commitment to their land.
He said, “We will remain on our land.”
Notably, the absence of any Israeli representatives and senior U.S. officials has tempered expectations for the summit’s outcomes.
