Egypt’s FM: ISF in Gaza should serve as peacekeepers not ‘peace- enforcing troops'

CAIRO- 16 November 2025: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty affirmed the importance of deploying international peacekeeping forces in the Gaza Strip with a primary mandate to monitor the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

In an interview with Turkey’s Habertürk TV during his visit to Ankara- later published by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry- Abdelatty said the potential force should also provide training and capacity-building for Palestinian police to manage civilians’ daily needs, as well as possibly help secure borders and crossings.

“These forces must have the consent of the Palestinians themselves in order not to be perceived as occupying troops,” he stressed. “Many countries expected to contribute to this ISF believe it should be strictly a peacekeeping force, not a peace-enforcing one.”

Composition and Mandate of the ISF

Responding to a question about which countries would contribute, numbers of troops, leadership, and operational details, Abdelatty said these matters were still under discussion.

“It’s a voluntary contribution from different countries- some Islamic, some Western, some European,” he noted. The exact size of the force and its command-and-control arrangements also remain open questions. He pointed out that the United States has already established the Civilian-Military Cooperation Centre (CMCC) inside Israel, where several countries are contributing one or two observers.

Abdelatty referred to ongoing deliberations at the UN Security Council on a U.S. draft resolution that would authorize deploying the ISF to monitor adherence to ceasefire commitments by both sides.

He stressed the need for international oversight, particularly because Israel continues to carry out periodic aerial attacks on Gaza while alleging violations from the Palestinian side.

“This situation is not sustainable,” he said. “We need international forces on the ground to monitor the ceasefire and hold each party accountable for any violations.”

‘Ceasefire is very fragile’

Abdelatty described the situation in Gaza over the past two years as “inhuman and unprecedented,” occurring “under the eyes of the international community.”

“The current ceasefire is very fragile,” he said. “We are working closely with Turkey, Arab countries, and the United States to consolidate the ceasefire and ensure Israel does not resume its aggression.”

He outlined Egypt’s priorities: making the ceasefire permanent and sustainable, allowing massive humanitarian aid flows into Gaza, ensuring Israel’s withdrawal from the Strip, and initiating early recovery and reconstruction projects. He announced that Egypt -in coming weeks – will host a conference on Gaza reconstruction and invited Turkey to participate.

Without establishing a Palestinian state comprising Gaza and the West Bank with East Jerusalem as its capital, “there will be no sustainable stability or peace in the region, including for Israel,” he added.

Gaza Governance: Palestinian Administrative Committee

Commenting on reports regarding Hamas members trapped on the Israeli side of the Yellow Line and a potential U.S.–Israeli deal on this matter, Abdelatty said each party must fulfill its commitments under the Trump peace plan.

He stated that Israel must redeploy and withdraw, while a Palestinian administrative committee should govern Gaza alongside the decommissioning of non-state armed groups.

This committee would handle policing, law enforcement, and basic services until the Palestinian Authority is empowered to take over governance.

 Abdelatty said its members would be technocrats from Gaza, not affiliated with Hamas, Fatah, or other factions, and would likely number between 10 and 15.

Rafah Border Crossing Open Around the Clock

Abdelatty affirmed that Egypt keeps the Rafah border crossing open 24/7, stressing that the problem lies on the other side.

“The Israelis are still there and still closing it,” he said, noting that Gaza needs 900–1,000 humanitarian trucks per day.

Egypt–Turkey Cooperation on Sudan and Libya

The minister highlighted Egypt’s cooperation with Turkey on Sudan, reaffirming Cairo’s support for Sudan’s unity, national institutions, and national army. He condemned atrocities in Al-Fasher as genocide and crimes against humanity.

He said Egypt is working with the United States, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE through the “Quad” to implement the September 12 Declaration, which calls for a humanitarian truce leading to a ceasefire and an inclusive political process under Sudanese ownership.

Abdelatty also noted alignment with Turkey regarding Libya’s unity and rejection of any division of the country. Egypt supports holding simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections and backs the UN envoy’s proposed roadmap. 

Cairo and Ankara are also holding consultations on delineating and exploiting hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Erdogan to Visit Egypt Next Year

Abdelatty said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Cairo next year to co-chair the second session of the Strategic Cooperation Council with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

He described Egyptian-Turkish relations as “more than excellent,” with trade volume reaching $8.58 billion in 2023—an 11% increase from the previous year. Both presidents agreed to double this figure to $15 billion within four to five years.

Turkish investments in Egypt have reached $3 billion, he added. Tourism is also flourishing, with Turkish visitors rising from 40,000 to around 250,000 annually, and approximately 240,000 Egyptians visiting Turkey last year.