Israel Hamas Conflict: Egypt Warns of Further Escalation

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday warned against any escalation of the conflict in Gaza, saying the region risked becoming a “ticking time bomb”.

Regardless it doesn’t look like both sides are prepared to de-escalate hostilities. President Al-Sisi said his country’s sovereignty should be respected after drones were intercepted after entering Egyptian air space on Friday.

Israel on Friday said it was the target of the drones which it blamed on Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi movement. Egypt’s military said the drones, which fell on the Egyptian towns of Taba and Nuweiba near the Israeli border, injuring six, originated in the southern Red Sea. It did not say who launched the drones.

Sisi held a peace summit last Saturday and has called for aid to be allowed into Gaza, the release of hostages, and a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Meanwhile Egypt refuses to let in refuges fleeing the conflict.

Begs the question over sincerity of those who claim to support their Arab brothers in Palestine but refuse to grant them refuge.