EgyptDailynews - Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zaid, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri made two phone calls today, Sunday, with Dr. Hussein Amir Abdullahian, Iranian Foreign Minister and Israel Katz, Israeli Foreign Minister, in connection with the dangerous military escalation witnessed in the last hours, and as a result of Iranian attacks.

Shoukri expressed Egypt's deep concern as a result of the continued state of unprecedented military escalation between Iran and Israel in a way that could threaten the situation to get out of control, including the stability of the region, and endanger the interests of its people.

He also called on his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to exercise the utmost levels of self-restraint and refrain from brinkmanship policies and mutual provocations that would increase the state of tension and instability in the Middle East.

Shoukri conveyed to his Iranian and Israeli counterparts Egypt’s readiness to intensify its efforts in cooperation with its partners in order to defuse the current crisis, which is taking a dangerous escalatory turn, especially as it coincides with the continuing crisis of the Gaza Strip, the daily suffering of the Palestinian people, and the escalation of tension in multiple hotspots in the region, calling for by strengthening the voice of reason and providing an opportunity for diplomatic efforts to find solutions that preserve the stability of the Middle East and the safety of the peoples of the region.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman concluded his statements, noting that FM Shoukri was keen, during the call with the Israeli Foreign Minister, to emphasize Egypt’s firm position demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid, and rejecting any measures aimed at displacing Palestinians outside their lands, including carrying out ground military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafah.