Egypt and Qatar emphasised their support for the Palestinian people in a joint statement after Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, Al Jazeera reports.

“The two sides have expressed their grave concern over the continued escalation in the Gaza Strip and stressed the importance of continuing joint efforts to achieve an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, ensure the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to civilians, and support reconstruction efforts to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people,” the joint statement said.

It added that the leaders emphasised the “centrality of the Palestinian cause for Arabs”.

The statement also backed efforts to “achieve Palestinian national reconciliation and the need to unify Palestinian ranks”, and affirmed support “for the Gaza reconstruction plan” proposed by Egypt and backed by the Arab League.