Egypt plays crucial role in pushing for Gaza war end ahead of Baghdad Summit: FM - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

15-05-2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty affirmed on Tuesday that Egypt is playing a crucial role in advancing efforts to end the Gaza war ahead of the 34th Arab Summit, set to be held in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, on 17 May.
Speaking to the Middle East News Agency (MENA) on the sidelines of preparatory meetings, FM Abdelatty praised Iraq for hosting the summit at a time of critical regional importance.
He noted that the Palestinian cause will dominate the discussions, especially amid the ongoing Israeli military assaults in Gaza and the West Bank.
'This is a decisive moment for the Arab world. The summit is taking place as our region faces grave challenges, not least of which is the catastrophic situation in the occupied Palestinian territories,' the minister said.
The minister also revealed that a trilateral summit between Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq will occur on the sidelines of the main summit.
The trilateral summit is part of an established coordination mechanism to enhance cooperation between the three countries on joint infrastructure, energy, and connectivity projects.
Gaza ceasefire efforts
FM Abdelatty emphasized that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is personally leading Egypt's diplomatic push to end the war in Gaza.
Through a series of summit-level engagements and direct communications with global leaders, the president is pushing ahead with efforts to stop the Israeli offensive and accelerate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
'President El-Sisi was recently in Moscow, where the Palestinian file was discussed in depth with President Vladimir Putin,' Abdelatty said.
He added that Egypt is also coordinating closely with European partners ahead of a key conference in New York scheduled for mid-June, part of a broader effort to revive the two-state solution.
He also stated that the mediation efforts exerted during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire had helped release more than 31 captives, which was a clear achievement.
The Egyptian and Qatari mediation efforts have also led to the recent release of Israeli-American captive Edan Alexander, Abdelatty affirmed.
Abdelatty stressed that Israel's blockade over Gaza and weaponising starvation against the Palestinians constitute a flagrant violation of all United Nations resolutions and international conventions, particularly international law, international humanitarian law, and the four Geneva Conventions, which place specific obligations on the occupying power.
These obligations include ensuring access to essential goods, food supplies, and medical aid for civilians under occupation.
He noted that no humanitarian or medical aid trucks have been allowed to enter the strip in over 65 days due to Israeli restrictions.
'We are exerting tremendous efforts — not only through Egypt's mediation in coordination with Qatar, or through talks with the United States — but also via intensive engagement with key international stakeholders,' he said.
Moreover, Minister Abdelatty expressed hope that these efforts would lead to a broader ceasefire agreement and a return to the terms outlined in the now-violated 19 January ceasefire.
He added that Egypt also actively engages with the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, comprising seven nations, to halt the war.
Additionally, Cairo spearheads diplomatic efforts with European powers to recognize the State of Palestine.
'It's unacceptable for one state to wield veto power over the peace process,' the minister stressed, warning that such obstruction undermines prospects for a peaceful solution.
Additionally, he affirmed that Egypt is prepared to host an international reconstruction conference for Gaza once a ceasefire is reached.
All logistical preparations have been finalized, with support from the United Nations, the World Bank, and other partners.
'We are ready to move forward with the Cairo International Conference for Early Recovery and Reconstruction in Gaza. But the first step must be a ceasefire,' Abdelatty concluded.
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