FM, EU envoy discuss Gaza developments, ME de-escalation efforts

CAIRO - 7 April 2026: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty discussed on Tuesday with EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Christophe Bigot developments in the occupied Palestinian territories amid ongoing regional escalation and its impact on stability.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tamim Khallaf said Abdelatty stressed the importance of maintaining focus on implementing all provisions of the second phase of the US-proposed plan, including ensuring the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid, in preparation for early recovery and reconstruction.

The meeting also addressed arrangements to enable the national committee for Gaza administration to assume its duties inside the enclave in the coming period, with emphasis on the need for international support to ensure its effective functioning, as well as expediting the deployment of an international stabilization force.

Both sides discussed enhancing coordination on training Palestinian police personnel in Egypt ahead of their deployment to Gaza, in a way that supports stability and the rule of law. Abdelatty also reiterated the importance of keeping the Rafah crossing open in both directions and ensuring the entry of humanitarian assistance.

The talks further covered developments in the West Bank, where Abdelatty voiced Egypt’s condemnation of the accelerating pace of settlement activities and attempts to impose new realities on the ground, as well as Israeli measures including the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, repeated incursions, and the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a law on executing Palestinian prisoners.

He warned of the serious repercussions of these measures on prospects for de-escalation and stability.

Abdelatty stressed the importance of continued Egypt-EU coordination to support the political track and achieve a just and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian cause, based on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.