Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry said here Wednesday that Egypt's initiative for a ceasefire in Gaza aims to avoid further escalation and bloodshed of Palestinian people.
In a joint press conference between the Egyptian diplomat and Middle East Envoy Tony Blair, Shukry said that the Egyptian initiative aims to protect innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, who have been subject to the ongoing Israeli aggression, which caused the death of at least 200 people and injury of humdreds.
He asserted that that the move aims to stop completely military operations and provide an opportunity for resuming the peace process to meet the aspirations of Palestinian people by setting up an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On his part, Blair hailed the meeting with Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi, asserting his support and appreciation to the Egyptian initiative.
He said that the initiative has an international support as it seeks to alleviate the sufferings of Palestinians and restrict violence.
Blair said it is important to understand the nature of the initiative which helps provide both long-run and short-run solutions, adding that each party - Hamas or Israel - has certain demands, but they should talk and stop violence.
He affirmed that the international community welcomes inter-Palestinian reconciliation, saying there would be neither peace nor Palestinian state without that move.
Blair stressed the need to rebuild and reopen Gaza to improve educational and healthy conditions of people there, noting that the initiative should be accepted for achieving that goal.
When asked about international reactions to the initiative, Blair said that reactions welcomed and supporting it.
He pointed out that he had received many calls from foreign ministers who support the initiative.