In a significant development, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi have come together to urge for an immediate end to Israel's upcoming offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza. The leaders held bilateral talks in Cairo, marking a notable improvement in the strained relations between Turkey and Egypt that have persisted for years.

President Erdogan's visit to Egypt on Wednesday signifies the rekindling of ties after a long period of tensions and frosty relations. Prior to his visit to Cairo, Erdogan met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. This visit marked Erdogan's first trip to Cairo in over a decade.

During the talks at Cairo's Ittihadiya palace, Presidents Erdogan and el-Sisi focused on various topics, including bilateral relations and the regional challenges faced. Chief among these challenges was the urgency to prevent the escalation of conflict in Gaza. El-Sisi, during a joint news conference, emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the restoration of calm in the West Bank. The ultimate aim of these efforts is to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and establish an independent Palestinian state.

President Erdogan expressed Turkey's firm commitment to engaging in discussions with Egypt on all levels to achieve peace and stability in the region. He affirmed solidarity with Egypt and vowed to work together to put an end to the bloodshed in Gaza.

The strained relations between Egypt and Turkey began in 2013 when the Egyptian military removed President Mohammed Morsi, who belonged to the Muslim Brotherhood, following widespread protests against his government. Over the past few years, Turkey has sought to mend ties with Egypt and other regional powers by refraining from criticizing el-Sisi's government. A significant sign of improving relations occurred in November 2022 when Erdogan and el-Sisi were seen shaking hands during the World Cup in Qatar.

The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with an imminent Israeli offensive on the city of Rafah, situated along the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt. Rafah is currently home to over half the territory's population, with around 1.4 million people residing in overcrowded tent camps, apartments, and shelters.

President Erdogan, addressing the press conference alongside el-Sisi, appealed to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid a ground offensive in Rafah. He accused the Israeli government of committing "massacres" in Gaza and stressed that efforts to depopulate Gaza were unacceptable.

Egypt shares concerns about a potential ground assault on Rafah, fearing that it would result in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians crossing the border into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Egypt has even threatened to suspend its decades-old peace treaty with Israel if such an offensive takes place.

In an attempt to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining 130 captives held by Hamas, Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, an ally of Israel, has been engaged in negotiations. However, as of now, no breakthrough has been achieved.

President Erdogan also expressed Turkey's readiness to collaborate with Egypt in the rebuilding of Gaza, with a pledge to enhance trade with Egypt to $15 billion in the near future.

The Israeli offensive on Gaza commenced on October 7 in response to a surprise attack by Hamas fighters on southern Israel, according to Israeli authorities. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 1,139 people killed and around 250 individuals taken captive by Hamas. Israeli forces have conducted a devastating bombardment and ground invasion, resulting in the deaths of over 28,500 Palestinians, as reported by Palestinian authorities. Consequently, a large portion of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, and more than 80% of the population has been displaced, according to aid agencies.

As diplomatic efforts intensify to address the worsening situation in Gaza, the joint appeal by Turkish and Egyptian leaders adds momentum to calls for ending the violence and achieving a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.