Saudi King Tells El-Sisi His Country Supports Egypt’s Gaza Truce Proposal

In a telephone call with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Bin Abdel-Aziz affirmed his country’s support for the Gaza truce proposal made by Egypt last week, according to presidential spokesman Ihab Badawy.

In a statement issued Saturday, Badawy added that the Saudi king praised Egypt’s efforts to bring an end to the bloodshed in Gaza, in spite of the country’s internal problems.

“The king further pointed to the importance of the international community carrying out their responsibility towards the Palestinian people, and facilitating the arrival of food and medical aid to the [Gaza] Strip,” added the statement.

On Monday, Egypt issued a proposal for a ceasefire. The proposal, immediately endorsed by Israel, was criticised by many factions in Palestine, and officially rejected by Gaza rulers Hamas, for being unjust, as it holds both sides equally responsible for the violence.

Rockets fired by Hamas on Tel Aviv have caused the death of one Israeli while another — an Israeli soldier — was killed during the start of a ground offensive by Israel late Thursday.

According to media reports, France has asked Qatar, which has close links with Hamas, to use its influence with the Islamist group to reach a ceasefire.

As Israel’s assault on Gaza enters its 12th day, the death toll has reached 337, including 77 children, 24 women and 18 senior citizens. More than 2,385 people have been injured in the Israeli onslaught.

Source : Ahram online