Egypt is conducting intense consultations with Israel, the United States and Palestinian groups to de-escalate the current tensions around the Gaza Strip, the Al Arabiya television reported.
According to the report, the Egyptian government "is engaging in broad consultations with the Israeli side, the United States and separate Palestinian factions with the goal of restoring calm as soon as possible."
Prior to that, Cairo demanded that Israel refrain from striking residential quarters and civilians in the Gaza strip. According to Al Arabiya, Egyptian security officials contacted with the Israeli side shortly after the Israeli air strike on the exclave earlier on Friday. The Israeli blamed Palestinian groups for the escalation.
Previously, Egypt acted as a mediator in crisis situations around Gaza, when sides to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict engaged in direct military confrontation. Egypt has diplomatic relations with Israel and maintains contact with Palestinian groups, active in the exclave, which has a common border with Egypt.
