Egypt, Jordan and France urge Israel to end Gaza attacks amid growing crisis

Leaders call for ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and political solution during Cairo summit.

(L–R) Jordan's King Abdullah II, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and France's President Emmanuel Macron pose for a photo during a trilateral summit on the situation in Gaza at the Presidential Palace in Cairo on April 7, 2025. Photo by Benoit Tessier/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Egypt, Jordan and France urge Israel to end Gaza attacks amid a deepening humanitarian crisis and escalating violence that has claimed the lives of thousands. In a high-level summit held in Cairo on Monday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Jordan's King Abdullah II gathered to deliver a joint appeal to the international community. Their message was clear: urgent action is needed to stop the bloodshed and restore peace in the Palestinian territories.

According to a statement released by the Jordanian Royal Court, the three leaders called on global powers and international institutions to "urge an immediate end to the Israeli war on Gaza, restore the ceasefire and implement all its stages, and resume the flow of sufficient humanitarian aid to stop the worsening crisis faced by the Gazan people."

The summit marks one of the strongest and most coordinated appeals from regional and European leaders since the recent wave of Israeli airstrikes began. Nearly 1,400 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives since March 18, with over 3,400 others injured. Despite a previously negotiated ceasefire and a prisoner exchange agreement, the attacks have intensified, pushing Gaza further into despair.

A united front at the Cairo summit

The gathering in Cairo was not merely symbolic. Egypt, Jordan and France used the occasion to emphasize the dire need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the ongoing conflict. All three nations called for the restoration of calm and the immediate reactivation of diplomatic channels aimed at ending the violence and creating a path toward a just peace.

King Abdullah, known for his consistent advocacy for Palestinian statehood, did not mince words. He warned that Israel's continued military operations in Gaza "undermine all diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to end the crisis and threaten to plunge the entire region into chaos." He stressed the urgent need for regional calm and called for renewed efforts to build a political horizon, based on the two-state solution, that ensures long-term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi echoed those sentiments, emphasizing his country's commitment to the Arab cause, especially the Palestinian struggle. Egypt, which borders Gaza and has long played a mediating role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has been instrumental in brokering previous ceasefires and humanitarian corridors. Al-Sisi also highlighted the catastrophic conditions facing civilians in Gaza, including the collapse of medical services, food shortages, and the lack of basic utilities like electricity and clean water.

French President Emmanuel Macron brought the weight of the European Union into the discussion. France has expressed increasing concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and has called on Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law. At the summit, Macron stated that the international community, especially European nations, must support a long-term reconstruction plan for Gaza and work towards creating a viable political process.

Humanitarian disaster unfolds in Gaza

The three leaders’ joint statement places significant emphasis on humanitarian aid. With Gaza's infrastructure crippled, and hospitals overwhelmed, there is an urgent need for medical supplies, clean water, and food. The leaders urged the reopening of all humanitarian crossings and the unhindered entry of international aid organizations into the territory.

The situation has been exacerbated by Israel's blockade of Gaza and its air and ground operations, which have made it extremely difficult for relief agencies to function. Many neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, displacing thousands of families. The United Nations has described the situation as “catastrophic,” warning that without immediate intervention, the death toll could rise dramatically.

Macron, al-Sisi, and Abdullah urged global partners, including the United States and the United Nations, to step in and facilitate the delivery of aid. They also emphasized the need for proper monitoring mechanisms to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most, rather than being caught in the crossfire or diverted due to logistical constraints.

A push for a political solution

While the humanitarian emergency remains a top priority, the Cairo summit also focused heavily on the political roots of the conflict. All three leaders reiterated their commitment to the two-state solution, which envisions an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting peacefully alongside Israel.

They warned that without a political horizon, any ceasefire would be temporary, and the cycle of violence would inevitably resume. "What we need is not just a pause in fighting, but a genuine political breakthrough," said Macron. He added that France is ready to work with the European Union and Arab League to launch a new peace initiative, one that is inclusive, realistic, and grounded in international law.

Al-Sisi also spoke of the importance of Arab unity in supporting Palestinian statehood and said Egypt is ready to host further negotiations aimed at reviving the Middle East peace process. The Cairo summit, he said, could serve as a launchpad for renewed diplomatic engagement if international partners are willing to act.

International reaction and outlook

Reactions to the summit have started to pour in. The United Nations welcomed the joint statement and called on all parties to take concrete steps to de-escalate the situation. The European Union also expressed support for the initiative, stating that it aligns with EU efforts to restore peace and humanitarian stability in the region.

However, Israeli officials have yet to respond formally to the summit's outcome. Analysts suggest that without pressure from Washington, Israel is unlikely to alter its current military strategy. President Joe Biden’s administration has so far offered cautious support to Israel’s right to defend itself while simultaneously urging restraint.

Still, the Cairo summit represents a powerful display of regional and international cooperation. The presence of both Arab and European leaders, united in their call to end violence and push for peace, could influence future developments. Whether that influence will be enough to change the current trajectory remains uncertain, but for the people of Gaza, it offers a glimmer of hope.

A critical moment for the region

As Egypt, Jordan and France urge Israel to end Gaza attacks, the world watches closely. The summit’s unified message has the potential to shift international attention toward renewed peace efforts and immediate humanitarian relief. With the conflict threatening to spiral further out of control, this call for action could not be more timely.

The leaders’ appeal is not only a demand for ceasefire—it’s a demand for justice, dignity, and the right of Palestinians to live free from fear. Whether the international community will rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but Monday’s summit was a clear declaration: enough is enough.