High-level sources said today (Sunday) that intensive Egyptian contacts are taking place with all countries and parties concerned internationally and regionally to reach a ceasefire agreement and the exchange of prisoners and detainees in the Gaza Strip, as reported by the Cairo News Channel today (Sunday).

The sources added that Cairo is intensifying its contacts with all international parties to bring large quantities of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip “during the current week.”

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry warned today (Sunday) of the humanitarian and security consequences of Israel’s practices of collective punishment against the residents of Gaza.

This came during Minister Shoukry’s reception today, Hajja Habib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and Federal Cultural Institutions of Belgium, who is visiting Egypt to consult and coordinate on ways to deal with the military escalation in Gaza, and efforts to coordinate international efforts to contain the crisis, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid.

The spokesman said, in a statement published by the ministry on its Facebook page, that “the two ministers exchanged visions and evaluations regarding the overall field and humanitarian situation in Gaza, the urgent need to deliver humanitarian aid to the residents of the Strip, and the necessity of reaching a humanitarian truce that allows for the provision of protection for civilians and facilitating the entry of relief aid.” and humanity urgently and sustainably.”

Minister Shukri was keen to welcome Belgium's decision to support the Arab resolution in the United Nations General Assembly, stressing that the decision taken by Belgium is the right decision, because it means supporting peace, stopping bloodshed, and protecting civilians.

The two ministers also discussed the risks surrounding the possibility of expanding the conflict, and the need to make all international and regional efforts to prevent this scenario.

The spokesman revealed that Minister Shukri stressed the serious risks surrounding the path of Israeli forces expanding their ground operations in Gaza, stressing the need to make coordinated international efforts and build on the discussions of government officials during the Cairo Peace Summit, in order to stop the ongoing war and provide the necessary protection for civilians, which is what The Belgian Foreign Minister agreed with him, considering this an urgent priority to ensure the access of humanitarian aid to the Strip.

The Belgian Foreign Minister also stressed her country's full awareness of the magnitude of the challenges facing Egypt as a result of this crisis, and its aspiration to hear Egypt's vision on ways to support the Palestinian cause and revive the peace process, given that Egypt is always the leader in efforts to achieve peace in the region, and has long experience in supporting... Mediation efforts between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

The spokesman stated that the discussions between the two ministers dealt extensively with the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where Minister Shukri warned of the dire humanitarian and security consequences of Israel’s escalatory policies against the Palestinian people in Gaza, especially the continuous bombing, siege, and forced displacement in violation of the provisions of international humanitarian law, stressing Egypt’s categorical rejection. For these practices, or for any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause at the expense of the countries of the region.

The spokesman indicated that the two ministers agreed to continue consulting closely over the coming days to push for internationally coordinated efforts to contain the crisis, prevent its expansion in the region, and work with all international partners in order to restore hope in reviving the peace process with the aim of establishing an independent, effective and capable Palestinian state. To survive and achieve the aspirations of its people, alongside the State of Israel, in accordance with the vision of the two-state solution.