Egypt plays key role in humanitarian efforts for Gaza: UN envoy
Addressing a UN Security Council session on Palestine on Friday evening, the Egyptian diplomat emphasized the need for immediate and practical interventions to provide financial support for humanitarian assistance and early recovery efforts to address the catastrophic situation in the war-ravaged enclave, as well as the ongoing challenges in the West Bank. He underscored the need to ensure compliance of all humanitarian mechanisms with international humanitarian law. As co-chairs of the Working Group on Humanitarian Action and Reconstruction, Egypt and the UK are all ready to work with all parties and partners, he said, urging the co-chairs of the other groups to help in taking practical and concrete action to establish an independent Palestinian state based on a two-state solution. Israel has been waging a genocidal war against the Gaza Strip, leaving 3,822 people dead, and 122,382 others wounded, most of them children and women, since October 7, 2023.
More than 11,000 people remain missing. The relentless aggression has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
25 minutes ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Serbia expresses interest in deepening ties with Al-Azhar - Foreign Affairs
Serbian Prime Minister Duro Mascut expressed his pleasure on Wednesday at meeting the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, affirming Serbia's interest in deepening its relationship with Al-Azhar. This came during PM Mascut's meeting with Sheikh El-Tayyeb at Al-Azhar's headquarters. During the meeting, Mascut voiced his country's commitment to enhancing cooperation in education and religious dialogue by sending Serbian students to study at Al-Azhar at the university level and pre-university education. He also conveyed Serbia's desire to sign cooperation protocols between Al-Azhar University and Serbian universities to support joint academic and research projects, including faculty and student exchanges. The Serbian prime minister reiterated his country's keenness to strengthen ties with Islamic institutions, particularly Al-Azhar. Moreover, he affirmed Serbia's support for the Palestinian cause, evident in its vote in favor of granting Palestine full membership at the United Nations and its consistent position in support of the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state. For his part, Sheikh El-Tayyeb affirmed Al-Azhar's readiness to meet the needs of Serbian Muslims by training imams at the Al-Azhar International Academy for Training Imams and Preachers. He said the training will equip religious leaders to address contemporary intellectual and social challenges, such as promoting human fraternity, positive coexistence, women's rights in Islam, and rational rebuttals to extremist ideologies. El-Tayyeb also expressed Al-Azhar's willingness to welcome Serbian Muslim students to study at Al-Azhar University and establish a centre for Arabic language education in Serbia to help Muslim community members learn the Quran language. The grand imam stressed that peace and mutual understanding are Al-Azhar's core principles. He stated that Al-Azhar instills in its students a deep sense of patriotism, respect for diversity, and openness to others. "Difference is a divine universal law, and peaceful coexistence is central to Islamic teaching," he highlighted. Meeting with Pope Tawadros II Earlier on Tuesday, Pope Tawadros II, head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, received Prime Minister Muscat and his accompanying delegation at the papal residence in Cairo as part of his current official visit to Egypt. Upon his arrival, the Serbian prime minister wrote a message in the VIP visitors' book before beginning his meeting with the pope. During their meeting, Pope Tawadros II welcomed PM Muscat, recalling their previous meeting in Belgrade a long time ago. "Although the visit lasted only a few days, it left many beautiful memories. When I returned to Egypt, I spoke to many people about your beautiful country,' the pope said. He noted that the Coptic Orthodox Church, founded in the first century, is a centuries-old church that has played a vital role in Egyptian society. "Egypt is the only country the Holy Family visited, which gives it great significance in both religious tourism and sacred history. This visit sanctified the land of Egypt, making it one of Christianty's holy lands alongside Palestine," Pope Tawdros II added. The pope highlighted that Saint Mark the Apostle founded the Coptic Orthodox Church, and Saint Anthony was the first to practice monasticism, a path followed by monks worldwide. This affirms the church's profound role in Christian life. He further noted that the church serves society in Egypt and abroad. 'I hoped your visit could include more of the historical and religious landmarks that Egypt is known for,' he told the Serbian prime minister, adding that the Egyptian government is very interested in the path of the Holy Family, part of which was on land and part through the Nile River. Pope Tawadros also emphasized the importance of promoting religious tourism between Egypt and Serbia. For his part, PM Mascut expressed his honour at meeting Pope Tawadros II again, praising the Coptic Orthodox Church for preserving Christian history and highlighting the Coptic community's vital role in Egyptian society. He also recalled the pope's recent visit to Serbia as warm and memorable, noting that this trip to Egypt marks his first official foreign visit as prime minister. Furthermore, Mascut conveyed greetings from Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Serbian prime minister also said he had seen the church in Egypt's New Administrative Capital during his meeting with the Egyptian prime minister. Pope Tawadros said this church is the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated on the same day as the Al-Fattah Al-Aleem Mosque. He pointed out that the Coptic Orthodox Church enjoys good relations with the president, the government, Al-Azhar, and other Christian churches in Egypt and worldwide. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Today
an hour ago
- Egypt Today
Egypt intensifies diplomatic efforts to halt expansion of Iranian-Israeli war
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration Badr Abdelatty held two phone calls with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell on Wednesday, June 18 CAIRO – 19 June 2025: In line with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's directives to intensify communications to halt the military escalation between Israel and Iran, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration Badr Abdelatty held two phone calls with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell on Wednesday, June 18. They exchanged views and assessments regarding the rapid developments in the region. In his call with the French foreign minister, Minister Abdelatty emphasized that exerting concerted regional and international efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region is a must to avoid expanding the conflict. He warned of the extremely dangerous repercussions for the security and stability of the region if the military escalation continues, emphasizing that there is no alternative to political and diplomatic solutions to de-escalate the situation, achieve a ceasefire, and resume negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program. As for the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, Minister Abdelatty highlighted the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He stressed the importance of consolidating efforts to resume the ceasefire, reviewing the role played by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in this context. He also emphasized the importance of alleviating the suffering of the Palestinians, ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid, and working to find a political horizon for the Palestinian cause through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the two-state solution. He expressed hope that European countries would recognize the Palestinian state, considering it a key pillar for achieving peace, security, and stability in the Middle East. Meanwhile, during his call with the British national security advisor, Minister Abdelatty reviewed Egypt's efforts to de-escalate the situation, underscoring the need to contain the military escalation between Israel and Iran. He pointed out the responsibility of the E3 group (the UK, France, and Germany) to open channels for dialogue and negotiation with the Iranian side to reach compromises that contribute to de-escalation. The French and British officials commended Egypt's efforts to halt the current escalation in the region and lauded its constructive efforts on the Palestinian issue. They agreed to continue to coordinate to avoid escalation in the region and utilize available diplomatic channels to de-escalate the situation. Since June 13, 2025, Iran and Israel have exchanged the launch of missiles and drones, killing dozens and injuring hundreds in both countries, besides bombing vital nuclear and scientific facilities. Iran said that most of the killed people are women and children, in addition to several nuclear scientists and military leaders.
Al-Ahram Weekly
an hour ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt lays foundation stone of 1st solar power plant in Djibouti - Foreign Affairs
Officials from Egypt and Djibouti laid the foundation stone of the first solar power plant in the village of Omar Kaji in Djibouti's Arta region on Wednesday, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. The ministry said the step aimed to deepen energy cooperation between the two countries. The project is being implemented through a partnership between Egypt's Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy and Djibouti's Ministry of Energy. The Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD) provided financial support, and the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) participated in technical execution. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said the project's launch follows President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's directives after his official visit to Djibouti in April, underscoring Egypt's commitment to strengthening fraternal ties with Djibouti. The launch ceremony was attended by Dr. Younis Ali Gedi, Djibouti's minister of energy; Major General Mohamed Osama Issa, deputy minister of electricity and head of the Central Administration at Egypt's Ministry of Electricity; senior officials from the AOI; and local authorities from the Arta region. The Egyptian embassy in Djibouti was key in organizing a preparatory visit by a high-level Egyptian delegation from the Ministry of Electricity and representatives from several energy firms from 15 to 17 June. During the delegation's visit, both sides emphasized the strategic importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the electricity and renewable energy sectors. The Omar Kaji solar power station marks the first joint energy project between Egypt and Djibouti. It is expected to serve as a model for further collaboration as discussions are underway to expand Djibouti's national power grid and upgrade the wind energy station in the Ghoubet region. Officials from both sides described the project as a milestone that reflects shared goals in sustainable development, energy access, and South-South cooperation. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
