Israel-Hamas peace summit fails to produce breakthrough on Gaza situation

Egypt on October 21 hosted a peace summit to discuss ways to de-escalate the conflict between Hamas and Israel, as well as prevent the risk of the conflict spreading throughout the region.

The meeting was attended by representatives from many countries in the region and the world, including the heads of state of Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, as well as diplomats from Arab and European countries. Russia, China, Japan, Canada, the UK and the US were also represented.

Leaders attend the Cairo Peace Summit, Egypt. (Photo: Euronews)

Leaders attending the conference focused on the need to end tensions in the Gaza Strip and get the parties back to the negotiating table.

“We must act now to end the conflict,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the conference, stressing that the Gaza Strip was under “complete siege” by Israel and “needed a massive influx of aid.”

Also at the summit, King Abdullah II of Jordan called for an "immediate ceasefire", while Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi asserted that "the only solution to the Palestinian problem is justice", stressing the Palestinians' "right" "to establish their state".

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on the international community “not to let the conflict become a regional crisis”.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for "an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and a two-state solution".

However, the meeting ended without leaders and foreign officials agreeing on a joint statement. Differences in views between the Arab and European delegations are said to have hindered the process of issuing a joint statement at the conference. European leaders demanded condemnation of Hamas and recognition of Israel's "right to self-defense".

The conference comes as more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed and 200 taken hostage by Hamas in Israel since the conflict broke out on October 7. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported 4,385 deaths and 13,651 injuries in Gaza.

The United Nations has warned of a humanitarian disaster in Gaza as food supplies run low and fuel supplies for hospitals to run generators are dangerously low.

The first aid convoy from Egypt arrived in the Gaza Strip on October 21, nearly two weeks after Israel declared a complete blockade of the area. About 20 trucks managed by the Egyptian Red Crescent, responsible for transporting humanitarian aid for various United Nations agencies, entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing. Rafah is the only border crossing with the Gaza Strip not controlled by Israel.

Kong Anh (Source: Reuters)

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