At joint press conference with President Sarkozy of France on 6 January 2009, President Mubarak announced a clear and precise initiative to contain the deteriorating situation in Gaza based on the following points: Israel and the Palestinian factions accepting an immediate ceasefire for a limited period of time that will allow the opening of secure corridors for the delivery of humanitarian aide to the people of Gaza and that will give Egypt the opportunity to continue its activities to achieve a comprehensive and final ceasefire. Egypt will invite Israel and the Palestinian side to an urgent meeting in order to arrive at arrangements and guarantees that will prevent a repetition of the current situation and deal directly with its causes, including border security, which will lead to an opening of the crossings and a lifting of the blockade. Egypt also expressed its willingness to enter into discussions with the Palestinian and Israeli side, as well as with the European Union and the other members of the Quartet to achieve these goals. Egypt will renew its invitation to the Palestinian Authority and all the Palestinian factions to respond positively to Egyptian efforts to achieve Palestinian national accord, which constitutes the principle requirement for overcoming the challenges faces by the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause in the current dangerous situation and the in the future. Egypt's Position With Regards to Opening the Rafah Border Egypt's position with regards to opening the Rafah Crossing has been made clear since the issuance of President Mubarak's directive that the Crossing be opened for humanitarian purposes: to send aid to Gaza and to receive the wounded for treatment in Egyptian medical facilities. The world was able to witness via various satellite channels Egyptian efforts to receive the Palestinian wounded in Egypt and Arab hospitals.