Ambassador Abdel-Khalek made his remarks at the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) with the participation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.

Abdel-Khalek said the CEIRPP meeting is of special importance in light of the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and the recent rise in tensions as a result of the Israeli settlement practices.

He stressed that settlement practices aim to change the status quo on the ground and undermine the two-state solution and any basis for a political settlement in the future.

He voiced Egypt's condolences for the 10 Palestinians killed during the Israeli incursion into Nablus on Wednesday that also left more than a hundred others injured.

Abdel-Khalek also praised the CEIRPP's efforts to back the Palestinian cause via its various activities,.

He called for continued placement of the Palestinian issue on the agenda of the international community till the Palestinian people attain their freedom and an independent state on 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital.

The ambassador also stressed that Egypt will remain committed to defending the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and their just cause.