FM Abdelatty pushes for resumed aid delivery to Gaza in call with US envoy Witkoff

BY

Amr Mohamed Kandil

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Wed, 09 Apr 2025 - 08:16 GMT

BY

Amr Mohamed Kandil

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 - 08:16 GMT

Compiled photos of Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (R) and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff

Compiled photos of Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (R) and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff

CAIRO – 9 April 2025: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian, medical, and shelter aid to reach Gaza in a phone call with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff on Tuesday.

Egyptian calls for resumed assistance to Gaza have intensified since Israel blocked aid deliveries to the enclave on 2 March, following the expiration of the first phase of a ceasefire brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US.

Israel also resumed military operations in Gaza on 18 March, killing over 1,400 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The ceasefire established in January allowed thousands of humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza, where the majority of the population is experiencing "extremely critical" levels of hunger, according to the UN.

Abdelatty’s phone call with Witkoff discussed the collaborative efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and the US to initiate the second phase of the ceasefire to achieve calm and de-escalation.

These discussions followed reports of a new ceasefire proposal from mediators, suggesting a truce lasting 40 to 70 days in exchange for the return of 16 captives held by Hamas, eight of whom are alive.

Israeli reports quoted an official stating that Tel Aviv will not accept the offer because it includes guarantees for a permanent cessation of hostilities and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The proposal was allegedly presented by Egypt, although Cairo has not confirmed this through official channels.

The phone call also followed a meeting between Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week. Israel has adhered to a proposal from Witkoff made in March, which suggests the release of 11 living captives – nearly half of those still held by Hamas – along with half of the deceased captives immediately.

Witkoff’s proposal does not oblige Israel to end the war.

Hamas has previously rejected US-Israeli plans for extending the first phase of the ceasefire, which would involve the release of more captives in exchange for a temporary truce and the entry of humanitarian aid.

Instead, Hamas advocates for transitioning to the second phase of the original agreement, which includes a complete and permanent cessation of hostilities and the release of all captives.

The movement has stated their readiness to release all captives in exchange for an end to the war, a condition Israel has rejected.

Currently, Hamas holds 59 captives, with at least 22 believed to be alive, insisting that negotiations are the only way for Israel to recover its captives.

Through the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 38 captives, 30 of whom are alive, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Arab Reconstruction Plan

During the call with Witkoff, Abdelatty also discussed the Egyptian plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, which has received endorsement from Arab and Muslim nations, as well as support from the European Union, Japan, and other international actors.

He highlighted the importance of effective implementation of the plan, especially regarding security and governance.

The foreign minister reiterated Egypt's commitment to organizing an international conference for Gaza reconstruction in collaboration with the United Nations and the Palestinian government.

He stressed the need for a political framework that leads to a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, aiming for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Abdelatty expressed Egypt's eagerness to enhance coordination with the US administration to work toward achieving a just peace in the Middle East.

He noted the importance of concerted efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region and prevent the expansion of conflict, given the dire implications for the peoples of the region.

Witkoff praised the strong relations between Egypt and the US and commended Cairo's critical role in promoting regional security, peace and stability.

The Israeli war in Gaza followed a Hamas attack on Israeli cities on 7 October 2023. The relentless bombardment has killed more than 50,800 people, devastated the enclave and left residents on the brink of famine.

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