Egypt FM condemns Israeli actions in West Bank, Gaza aid obstacles in call with Palestinian PM

CAIRO – 27 October 2024: Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty has voiced Egypt's denouncement of the systematic Israeli violations in the West Bank and the impediments created by the Israeli military to humanitarian aid access for people in Gaza.

Abdelatty made the remarks during a phone call with Palestinian Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Mustafa on Sunday, where they discussed the latest developments concerning the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank, as outlined in a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

Abdelatty highlighted the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, specifically condemning the Israeli military operations in the northern side of the enclave.

Moreover, Abdelatty underscored Egypt's crucial role in expediting and increasing the flow of humanitarian assistance destined for Gaza, noting that Egypt has already delivered two-thirds of the aid earmarked for the enclave.

The Egyptian foreign minister censured the obstacles enforced by the Israeli military against the dispatched aid and its control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing.

He also decried Israel's undermining of the operations of humanitarian relief organizations and United Nations agencies, along with the targeting of numerous UN employees and agencies, notably the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

In the West Bank, Abdelatty criticized the Israeli transgressions in cities and camps, including attempts to legitimize and expand settlement outposts in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and international law.

He urged all international parties to actively support the UNRWA's endeavors in aid of Palestinian refugees.

During the call, the Palestinian prime minister expressed gratitude for the efforts of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in supporting the Palestinian people.

Mustafa lauded the fraternal ties uniting the Palestinian and Egyptian peoples and commended Egypt's initiatives to alleviate the plight of Palestinians and uphold their right to self-determination.

Meanwhile, Abdelatty and Mustafa discussed the joint efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in securing a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating the exchange of captives and prisoners.

Expectations are high for the resumption of indirect ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel with the mediation of Egypt, Qatar and the US.

Israeli sources have hinted at an upcoming meeting between CIA Director William Burns and Mossad Director David Barnea in Qatar this week, with the latter set to arrive in Doha on Sunday.

Recent Israeli media reports have circulated details of an Egyptian proposal involving a brief ceasefire agreement in exchange for the release of several Israeli captives held by Hamas.