The Egyptian presidency reported that “President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from Joseph Aoun, the President of Lebanon,” noting that the call addressed regional developments and ways to achieve calming and de-escalation in the region. President El-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its outright rejection of any violations affecting Lebanese sovereignty. He reiterated Egypt’s support for the efforts of Lebanese national institutions in achieving security and stability within Lebanon. He also emphasized Egypt’s eagerness to assist in the Lebanese government’s reconstruction efforts, which was appreciated by the Lebanese president.
The Egyptian statement noted that “the call also addressed developments in the Gaza Strip,” where both presidents stressed the necessity of reaching an immediate ceasefire, ending the Israeli aggression, ensuring the entry of urgent humanitarian aid, as well as releasing hostages and detainees, and quickly beginning the reconstruction process of the Strip.
The leaders confirmed the “firm stance of Egypt and Lebanon in supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate right to establish an independent state and rejecting the displacement of Palestinians from their land.” The ceasefire agreement between ” ” and Israel came into effect on November 27, 2024, after more than a year of Hezbollah opening what it called “a support front for the Gaza Strip.” The Israeli army was supposed to complete its withdrawal from areas it occupied in southern Lebanon by January 26 last year, but Israel did not adhere to the deadline and maintained its military presence in five strategic points in the south, citing the need to “ensure the protection of northern settlements and continued to launch attacks on Lebanon from time to time.”
