Egypt Calls for Halting Any Measures Targeting Jerusalem’s Identity

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the Secretary-General of the Fatah Central Committee, Jibril Rajoub, in Cairo on Sunday, May 29, 2022. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the Secretary-General of the Fatah Central Committee, Jibril Rajoub, in Cairo on Sunday, May 29, 2022. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt Calls for Halting Any Measures Targeting Jerusalem’s Identity

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the Secretary-General of the Fatah Central Committee, Jibril Rajoub, in Cairo on Sunday, May 29, 2022. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during his meeting with the Secretary-General of the Fatah Central Committee, Jibril Rajoub, in Cairo on Sunday, May 29, 2022. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks with the Secretary-General of the Fatah Central Committee, Jibril Rajoub, in the Ministry’s headquarters in Cairo on Sunday.

Shoukry underscored the importance of halting all measures and actions that target the Arab Islamic and Christian identity of Jerusalem and its sanctities, and aim at changing the historical and legal status quo of the city.

The FM warned that the escalation affects the stability of the Palestinian territories.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Ahmed Hafez said Rajoub briefed Shoukry on the challenges facing Palestinians and the escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as the violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites in Jerusalem.

According to Hafez, Shoukry reiterated that the continued expansion of settlement activity, whether through building new settlements or expanding existing ones, the confiscation of lands and the displacement of Palestinians undermine the chances of reaching a two-state solution and the prospect for establishing a comprehensive and just peace in the region.

The FM further confirmed Egypt’s firm position on supporting the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

He underlined the need to hold talks to revive the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and reach a political solution that would end the Israeli occupation of Palestine along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Rajoub hailed Cairo’s supportive stance for the Palestinian cause and valued efforts to achieve Palestinian national reconciliation and help Palestinians address the various challenges.



Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
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Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)

The death toll from a suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus on Sunday has risen to 25, Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Monday citing the country's health ministry.

It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by opposition factions in December.

On Sunday, a suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying, killing and wounding many.

The attack took place in Dweila on the outskirts of Damascus inside the Mar Elias Church, according to state media SANA.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.