Egypt's FM, EU Envoy Discuss Gaza Ceasefire, West Bank Violence, Peace Prospects
By Ahmad El-Assasy
Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty, held talks on Sunday, June 29, with Christophe Bigot, the European Union's Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, to discuss urgent developments in Gaza and the broader Palestinian territories.
According to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the meeting focused on Egypt's diplomatic efforts, in coordination with Qatar and the United States, to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitate the exchange of hostages and detainees, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
Minister Abdel Aaty highlighted the grave humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and criticized Israel's ongoing obstruction of aid access. He reiterated Egypt's firm rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians and emphasized Cairo's readiness to host a conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, once a ceasefire agreement is reached.
The minister also raised alarm over the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, warning of the dangers posed by continued Israeli military operations in Palestinian towns and villages, and condemned the frequent and brutal settler attacks on Palestinian civilians.
Abdel Aaty reaffirmed Egypt's support for the international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, which is being jointly proposed by France and Saudi Arabia. He underscored the urgent need to accelerate international recognition of the State of Palestine, based on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, viewing it as the only path toward lasting peace, security, and stability in the region.
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