Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty receives a delegation from The Elders group in Cairo. Photo: Egyptian Foreign Ministry
According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, the group's delegation included former Irish president Mary Robinson and former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark.
The meeting addressed the deteriorating situation and the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip as a result of the nearly two-year brutal Israeli aggression on the Strip.
The attendees also drew attention to Israel's use of starvation as a weapon, where the Egyptian FM referred to the ongoing war of extermination against the Palestinian people.
He also pointed to Israel's attempts to entrench its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and undermine the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, in flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
During the meeting, the Egyptian FM stressed Cairo's full rejection of the displacement of Palestinians from their land and the liquidation of the Palestinian cause.
Additionally, Abdelatty reviewed Egypt's efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, affirming Egypt's intention to host an international conference for early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip once an agreement is reached.
He further stressed the importance of advancing recognition of the Palestinian state and implementing the two-state solution to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state.
On Friday, Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, a move expanding military operations despite growing pressure over its deadly war on Gaza.
Israel's decision has sparked widespread global condemnation, with numerous countries and global organisations warning that such a move violates international law, undermines peace prospects, and exacerbates the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In a statement, the Egyptian foreign ministry strongly condemned the Israeli cabinet's decision, stressing that Israel's lawless and arrogant policies seek to impose a fait accompli by force and eliminate the viability of the two-state solution.
Founded in 2007 by former South African president Nelson Mandela, The Elders is an independent group of global leaders working together to promote international peace and justice.
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