Egypt, US discuss Gaza cease-fire, navigation challenges in Red Sea

CAIRO

Egypt said Tuesday that it looks forward to US support for a UN resolution to stop hostilities in the Gaza Strip, along with securing "safe navigation" in the Red Sea.

It comes ahead of a UN Security Council resolution to halt the conflict that erupted on Oct. 7

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his American counterpart Antony Blinken discussed developments in the Gaza Strip in a phone call and reiterated their rejection of any displacement of Palestinians, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Shoukry said Egypt looks forward to US support on the draft resolution proposed by Arab and Islamic groups at the Security Council to halt the Israeli war on Gaza, it said.

The resolution provides mechanisms that allow easy access of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip to address essential humanitarian needs of the Palestinians, said Shoukry.

The two ministers also addressed security challenges in the southern area of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and their effects on maritime traffic, according to the statement.

Shoukry emphasized the need to ensure safe navigation in the Red Sea to secure the smooth flow of global trade, it said.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

​​​​​​​Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting vessels in the southern Red Sea and warned it would attack Israel-bound ships.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio