Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati has addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza by stating that Cairo is actively working to reach a deal involving a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas. These comments represent the foreign minister’s first public remarks on the Gaza conflict since the new government was sworn in on Wednesday.
In a phone call with the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, Abdel-Ati expressed concern over Israel’s unilateral actions in the occupied West Bank, such as settlement expansions, arrest campaigns, and systematic raids on Palestinian areas. He emphasized the importance of pressuring Israel to halt its actions and adhere to international law.
The foreign minister also highlighted the significance of reopening the Rafah crossing, which is contingent upon Israel’s willingness to withdraw from the area and allow Palestinian authorities to resume control. He called for disengagement rules to be established to support international organizations’ work and safeguard humanitarian workers.
Abdel-Ati reiterated his call for Israel to open additional crossings with Gaza in line with its responsibilities as an occupying power. He emphasized that an immediate ceasefire was necessary, along with compliance with international resolutions and adherence to international and humanitarian laws. Finally, he stressed that ongoing international efforts were needed to provide essential humanitarian aid to residents of Gaza.
This statement marks a significant shift in Egypt’s stance towards Israel regarding its actions in Palestine. The foreign minister has made it clear that Egypt will not tolerate any violation of international law or human rights violations by either side.
It is noteworthy that Abdel-Ati has taken a more assertive stance than his predecessors regarding this issue. This could be seen as a reflection of growing frustration within Egyptian society over Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian lands.
In conclusion, Egypt is taking an active role in finding a solution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza by working towards a ceasefire agreement involving hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas. However, it remains uncertain whether these efforts will bear fruit given the complex political situation on both sides.
