Egypt’s FM: No more prolonged, futile talks on Gaza ceasefire

CAIRO – 16 August 2024: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty confirmed that the communications on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is ongoing and no place for prolonged, futile negotiations as happened in the past,

In a press conference with his Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib in Beirut on Friday, Abdelatty further explained that the goal is to implement the two-state solution, calling for the availability of serious political will for the two-state solution.

The Foreign Minister added that Egypt is moving seriously with our friends in Qatar to propose solutions that do not affect the constants, especially with regard to operating the Rafah crossing.

"Our goal from the Gaza negotiations is to stop the Israeli aggression and stop the military operations in the Strip. We are working to present ideas and propose solutions to fill the gaps related to the ceasefire negotiations,” he said.

Minister Badr Abdelatty also affirmed Egypt's support for the implementation of Resolution 1701 in all its aspects and from all parties to enhance security and stability in southern Lebanon, and its full support for extending the mandate of UNIFIL forces for an additional year to calm the situation in southern Lebanon.

Egypt fully supports Lebanon’s unity and sovereignty and rejects any Israeli aggression on southern Lebanon, said Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty on Friday.

The Egyptian Minister, who is visiting Beirut where he met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, added that the main reason for the conflict in the Middle East is the absence of a solution to the Palestinian cause.

Abdelatty added that Lebanon’s security and stability are an Arab and Egyptian joint interest, affirming Egypt’s efforts to stop the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip.

The Minister highlighted Egypt's ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza as a key to de-escalating the situation. He also affirmed Egypt's position aimed at preventing the expansion of the conflict and the outbreak of a regional war that would push the entire region into unprecedented tension and instability.

Abdelatty departed for Beirut on Friday as part of efforts to provide support to Lebanon amidst the current challenges it is facing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the visit also aims to mitigate the escalating tensions in the region.

Cairo spares no effort in its contacts at the bilateral level with the five-member committee on Lebanon to resolve the presidential vacancy crisis as soon as possible, Abdelatty continued.

Since October 8, 2024, limited military confrontations between Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces have erupted, one day after the launch of the “Al Aqsa Flood” operation by Hamas against Israelis in the Palestinian-occupied lands and resulted in the outbreak of the Israeli war on Gaza. Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah announced in November 2023 that the group had entered the war to support the Hamas fighters against the Israeli occupation forces.

However, the conflict is likely to turn into a severe regional war after Israeli committed a series of assassinations against Hezbollah leaders, recently of whom is the Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah Fouad Shokr (aka Abu Mohesen), and against head of the Hamas’ political bureau Ismail Haniyeh.

Iran, Hezbollah and the Iraqi Army vowed revenge for those who were killed by Israel. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said that Israel whoever stands with it should know that our response is inevitable and non-negotiable.