Egypt strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, calling them a “flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement” and a dangerous escalation that could have dire consequences for regional stability.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, described the strikes as undermining efforts to calm the situation and restore stability.

The ministry called on the international community to intervene immediately to halt the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, to prevent the region from relapsing into a renewed cycle of violence and counter-violence.

Egypt, alongside Qatar and the United States, has been acting as a mediator between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The three countries brokered a ceasefire agreement that came into effect in January, initially lasting six weeks.

However, despite ongoing negotiations, the two sides have yet to agree on the terms for an extension.

Israel had warned of resuming military action unless Hamas released more hostages.

It remains unclear whether Israel’s new attacks, which took place overnight from Monday to Tuesday, are a temporary measure to pressure Hamas into compromise or if they signal the beginning of a new phase in the 17-month war.

According to the Hamas-run Palestinian health authority, more than 400 people have been killed in the latest Israeli airstrikes.

(dpa/NAN)