OPEN// Egypt reaffirms rejection of escalation in Gaza, decries 'Greater Israel' statements

Middle East

15 hours ago

CAIRO, Aug 15 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's categorical rejection of the ongoing Israeli military escalation in Gaza, the recent expansion of settlement activity in the West Bank, and inflammatory statements advocating the so-called "Greater Israel."
He stressed that such actions only serve to inflame tensions, escalate conflict, and undermine regional stability.
The remarks came during a phone call on Friday between Abdelatty and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
The phone call was held in line with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's directives to intensify international efforts toward securing a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating urgent humanitarian assistance.
They engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the latest political, security, and humanitarian developments in the Gaza Strip.
Abdelatty stressed the urgent need to establish a credible political horizon that paves the way for a just and sustainable resolution to the Palestinian issue, one that ensures the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.
Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt's ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire and underscored the need for stronger international engagement, particularly from the European Union (EU), to help end hostilities and guarantee the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
He placed full responsibility on Israel, as the occupying power, for keeping Gaza's five border crossings closed, calling for their immediate reopening and the removal of all obstacles hindering the flow of urgent humanitarian and medical assistance, measures he described as contributing to a deliberate policy of starvation.
During the phone call, Abdelatty briefed the EU official on Egypt's intensive efforts, in coordination with Qatar and the United States, to reach a comprehensive agreement ensuring a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and a hostage-prisoner swap, involving the release of hostages and a number of Palestinian detainees.
The call also addressed Egypt's preparations to host an international conference in Cairo on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, set to take place immediately after a ceasefire is achieved.
The conference is being organized in coordination with regional and international partners, including the EU.
For her part, the EU high representative praised Egypt's sustained efforts to de-escalate the situation and secure a ceasefire, as well as its key role in alleviating the unbearable suffering of the Palestinian people by facilitating the delivery of aid.
She expressed the EU's readiness to participate in the Gaza reconstruction conference and work closely with Egypt to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and the success of efforts exerted to achieve a ceasefire. (MENA)
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