Palestine, Egypt and Jordan leaders slam Israel, voice support for two-state solution in latest summit

The leaders of the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and Jordan met for a three-way summit in the Egyptian city of Alamein on Monday, where they discussed the latest developments in the occupied West Bank as well as ways to deal with ongoing Israeli aggression in the Palestinian territory.

Mahmoud Abbas, Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi and King Abdullah II discussed Israel's "illegal practices" against Palestinians, which include near-daily deadly raids in the West Bank, the frequent storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the illegal withholding of Palestinian money.

The leaders said they would continue efforts to reviving the dormant peace process between the Palestinians and Israel, by engaging with international powers and relevant parties.

Following the meeting, a joint statement read: "The three leaders emphasised the importance of Israel halting all settlement activity, confiscating Palestinian land and the eviction of Palestinians from their homes and changing the nature and identity of Jerusalem."

The leaders also voiced their commitment to the Palestinians’ longstanding wish for an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital, ways to counter Israel's offences against Palestinians, and rejected all of its attempts to divide the holy Al-Aqsa site.

They maintained that a "just and comprehensive solution" to the Palestinian cause is the key to stability in the region.

Jordan and Egypt are heavily involved in Palestinian-Israeli affairs. Amman is the custodian of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, while Cairo often mediates between Gaza rulers Hamas and Israel.

2023 has been one of the deadliest years for Palestinians in the West Bank. At least 167 have been killed so far by Israeli forces amid an increase in incursions carried out by the Israeli military.

The death toll for 2023 has already surpassed that of last year, which stood at 155.

Israel has also increased illegal settlement construction in the West Bank this year, with almost 13,000 housing units being approved according to the advocacy group Peace Now.