Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (L) discussed Gaza's crisis with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul (R) on Sunday. Photo courtesy: Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
In a phone call on Sunday, Abdelatty urged the international community to end Israel’s “flagrant violations” in Gaza, stressing that Tel Aviv must ensure the delivery of food, fuel, and medical aid.
Israel seized the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in May 2024 and has since imposed sweeping restrictions on humanitarian access.
Later, Tel Aviv enforced a total blockade on 2 March, cutting off all supplies and creating famine conditions over the following five months.
Only in late July, after mounting international outrage, did Israel allow extremely limited aid convoys to enter from the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing through the Israeli-controlled Karam Abu Salem crossing, with Cairo's trucks subjected to tight restrictions and repeated obstruction.
Abdelatty voiced alarm over mounting reports confirming famine in Gaza.
On Friday, the United Nations' (UN) Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) formally declared a famine—“the first ever recorded in the Middle East”—warning that half a million Palestinians face “catastrophic” food insecurity.
António Guterres, the UN secretary general, described the crisis as “a man-made disaster, a moral indictment – and a failure of humanity itself.”
The ministers also discussed ongoing ceasefire talks.
Hamas has accepted a 60-day truce proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar, based on an initiative from US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which now awaits Israel’s response.
The plan envisions a two-month pause in fighting and a phased handover of captives.
Abdelatty stressed that Israel’s acceptance and implementation of the deal is essential to alleviating Palestinian suffering and ensuring the entry of sufficient aid.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a plan to occupy Gaza City with tens of thousands of soldiers, due to begin after a two-month encirclement, according to Israeli state broadcaster Kan.
Abdelatty warned that continued military escalation in the strip would deepen the crisis and undermine regional efforts at peace—a view Wadephul shared.
The call came days after Israel gave final approval to an expansionist settlement project in the E1 zone, a 12 square kilometre area east of Jerusalem where 3,400 housing units are slated for construction.
On Thursday, 20 Western states issued a joint statement condemning the plan as “unacceptable and a violation of international law,” urging Tel Aviv to halt settlement expansion in line with UN resolutions.
Abdelatty also briefed Wadephul on preparations for Egypt to host an international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza once a ceasefire is secured.
Turning to Iran’s nuclear programme, Abdelatty reiterated the need to return to negotiations to bolster regional and international stability.
He called for renewed cooperation between Tehran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to avoid further tensions.
The minister conveyed a similar message on 13 August in separate calls with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, and IAEA director general Rafael Grossi, in an effort to revive a political and diplomatic track.
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