Abdelatty stresses to Blinken need for immediate Gaza ceasefire, halt of Israeli aggression

CAIRO – 5 January 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty has expressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Egypt's full rejection of Israeli systematic targeting of health infrastructure and hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

During a phone call with Blinken on Saturday, Abdelatty stressed that such Israeli practices represent a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, said a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

The Egyptian foreign minister underlined the necessity for Israel to halt its aggressive policies toward the Palestinian people.

Abdelatty called for continuing concerted regional and global efforts to achieve an immediate in the Gaza Strip and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery to the enclave.

Moreover, Abdelatty and Blinken discussed the developments in Syria.

Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s standing with the Syrian people and highlighted the necessity for the political transition in Syria to be comprehensive and with a Syrian ownership away from external dictates.

He added that these factors will contribute to achieving Syrian security and stability and ensuring the state’s unity and territorial integrity

Blinken voiced the US deep appreciation for the vital role played by Egypt to achieve security and stability in the region.

CONTINUED STRIKES

Back to Gaza, Israeli forces killed at least 21 people, including at least two children, in airstrikes across Gaza on Saturday, AP cited hospital staff as saying, despite the resumption of ceasefire talks in Qatar.

Al-Qahera News TV Channel reported a breaking news quoting Axios; the American News website as saying that the first phase of the expected Gaza agreement may include a ceasefire for a period ranging between 7 and 9 weeks.#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps://t.co/qSqQwuBTCi

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) January 4, 2025

Amidst nearly 15 months of Israeli war in Gaza, an Israeli raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in December has put the last major health facility in North Gaza out of service.

Israel arrested the hospital director and other medical staff and evacuated patients, including those in critical condition, bringing international condemnation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the systematic dismantling of the health system and a siege for nearly three months on North Gaza endanger the lives of around 75,000 Palestinians in the area.

Israel and the United States claim that Hamas misuse civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including hospitals and schools.

During an emergency session of the UN Security Council on the collapse of health services in Gaza on Friday, Egypt emphasized the lack of documented evidence for Israeli allegations on the misuse of hospitals.

Egypt underlined Israeli’s commitment, as the occupation force, to ensure the provision of health and medical services to Palestinians.

Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Osama Abdel Khalek made the remarks on Friday during an emergency session of the UN Security Council on the collapse of health services in Gaza.https://t.co/aFKwb8i0m0

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) January 4, 2025

The war in Gaza has killed over 45,700 Palestinians to date and injured more than 108,850 others to date, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

The war has also devastated critical infrastructure and pushed the enclave toward the brink of famine.

RELEASING CAPTIVES

Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been working to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the exchange of captives and prisoners between Israel and Hamas.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas captivated 251 people from Israel, including Israeli civilians and soldiers as well as foreign nationals.

In November 2023, a prisoner swap deal facilitated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States led to the release of around 100 Israeli captives in exchange for about 240 Palestinian prisoners.

According to the AFP, of the 251 captives taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023, 96 individuals remain in captivity in Gaza, with 34 reportedly dead, according to the Israeli military.

Israeli attacks in recent months have resulted in the reported deaths of captives.

On 1 September, the Israeli army asserted that they have recovered the bodies of six captives from tunnels under the enclave, including 23-year-old Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American captive.

Yesterday, the military wing of Hamas released a video featuring 19-year-old Israeli soldier Liri Albag, where she appeared crying and asking the world not to forget her.

She stated in the few-minute video that her survival hinges on the withdrawal of the Israeli army.