Egyptian Minister of Defense Mohamed Zaki emphasized on Thursday during a meeting with his British counterpart in Egypt, the need for collaborative efforts to "prevent escalation and bolster security and stability in the region”.
Discussions between the British defense minister, Grant Shapps, and Zaki focused on the "developments in the Middle East, bilateral cooperation, and the shared interests between the two countries," a statement by Egypt's Armed Forces spokesman Colonel Gharib Abdel-Hafez said.
Commending Egypt's significant regional role, especially in light of the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip, Shapps acknowledged its impact on international and regional stability and security.
Separately, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, in a statement released on Wednesday, warned against the "danger of military escalation in the Middle East region on multiple fronts."
During a meeting with the visiting Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Sisi emphasized the "vital need to defuse the current critical situation" through an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmad Abul Gheit expressed deep concern over the potential multifront escalation, urging an end to the Israeli war on Gaza. He highlighted the horrific humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict.
The Greek Foreign Minister affirmed Athens' commitment to preventing the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, emphasizing the urgency of a ceasefire and the pursuit of a sustainable political solution.
Gerapetritis warned of an expanded conflict if the crisis persists.
Meanwhile, an Egyptian security source denied reports of "launching a drone from Sinai to Eilat," following the Israeli army's interception of a "suspicious aerial target" over the Red Sea near Eilat, later declared a "false alarm."
In a separate development, the Egyptian Armed Forces reported the thwarting of a drug smuggling attempt, resulting in the death of three suspected traffickers during the operation. The military spokesman disclosed the interception of approximately 300 kg of various narcotics.
This follows another successful interception earlier in the week, where Egypt seized 174 kg of narcotics on its border with Israel, resulting in one fatality and the arrest of six individuals.
