US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff. AFP
Witkoff’s visit comes as the Israel-Hamas indirect negotiations have been underway in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh since Monday, seeking to implement US President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the war in the Gaza Strip.
During the presser, the Egyptian FM noted that Trump’s plan, which aims to establish peace in the Middle East, includes guarantees for Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Abdelatty and Wadephul also addressed the redeployment of Israeli forces to alternative lines, in accordance with the US President’s plan, leading to a full withdrawal from Gaza.
The Egyptian FM highlighted Cairo’s intensive efforts to stop the war in the Gaza Strip, reiterating the country’s rejection of the annexation of the West Bank and any attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.
Abdelatty urged Germany to pressure Israel to respond positively to efforts to end the war and to abide by international law and international humanitarian law.
Both sides also discussed mechanisms to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the acceleration of efforts to release captives and prisoners, as well as the arrangements for holding the Gaza reconstruction conference.
During the presser, the Egyptian FM stressed the importance of establishing a political horizon based on the two-state solution that meets the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination and to establish their independent state.
“There are no military solutions in the region, only political ones,” he said.
Middle East crises
According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, Abdelatty and Wadephul addressed other regional crises, including the Sudanese war, where the Egyptian FM underscored Cairo’s efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable ceasefire to end the crisis, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid in coordination with the UN and international organisations.
Abdelatty further called for a comprehensive political process conducted with full respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, without interference in its internal affairs, while preserving the Sudanese state institutions.
Addressing the Libyan crisis, the Egyptian FM stressed the need to continue efforts to advance the political process in Libya in a manner that safeguards Libyan ownership of the solution, and leads to the simultaneous holding of presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.
He also emphasised the importance of withdrawing all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya to achieve stability.
Both sides also discussed the water security issue, which Abdelatty described as an existential issue for Egypt, noting the need for cooperation in accordance with international law to safeguard the interests of all Nile Basin countries.
He reiterated Egypt’s rejection of unilateral measures that violate international law in the Eastern Nile Basin, stressing that Cairo will take all necessary measures, consistent with international law, to protect its water security.
Earlier, the Egyptian FM held talks with his Slovenian and Dutch counterparts in Cairo, where he expressed hope that Sharm El-Sheikh’s meetings would deliver “real progress” toward ending Israel’s war on Gaza and easing the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave.
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