During a meeting in Cairo with the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, Abdelatty called for the return of the Palestinian Authority to manage and re-operate the crossing— which has been under Israeli control since May.

He emphasised that the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza is essential for establishing a sustainable, secure, and stable condition in the strip, according to a statement by the foreign ministry.

The Egyptian FM voiced his support for the UN special coordinator’s efforts to maintain the Palestinian Authority's role as the governing body for both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Abdelatty highlighted Egypt's ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire deal and deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, despite challenges imposed by Israel.

Both sides discussed the other developments of the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and the rising tensions in the West Bank.

Egypt’s top diplomat also stressed the importance of empowering the UN agencies to fulfil their responsibilities, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

On 7 May, Israel launched its assault on Gaza's southern city of Rafah, taking over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt for the first time since Israel pulled out its soldiers and settlers from the strip in 2005.

Egypt has repeatedly asserted its rejection of any Israeli presence in the Philadelphi corridor on and the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, urging an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the strip, and unrestricted aid access for Gazans.

Egypt, along with the US and Qatar, has mediated indirect talks between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire deal in the 11-month-old Israeli war in Gaza.

Since 7 October, Israel has killed and injured over 130,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women, damaged most of Gaza’s infrastructure, and displaced the majority of the population.