Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has delivered a strong message during his address at the UN General Assembly, stating unequivocally that Egypt has not been, and will not become, a “gate” for resolving the Palestinian issue at the expense of Palestinian rights.
“We state clearly: Egypt is not and will not be a gate to liquidate the Palestinian people. We will continue to support the resilience of the Palestinian people who are holding on to their national territories,” Abdelatty said on Saturday.
The foreign minister criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and warned that the war threatens the broader stability of the Middle East.
“Israel is waging a brutal war against civilians in Gaza,” he said. “The credibility of the international system is eroded by repeated violations of international law. The Middle East is on the verge of an explosion. We look at the reality in the region with concern and responsibility.”
Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s long-standing opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, describing any such scenario as “unacceptable.” He stressed that Egypt remains committed to supporting Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.
Despite his criticism of Israeli actions, Abdelatty expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his efforts to mediate a lasting resolution.
“We are grateful for his commitment to work with regional leaders to stop this unjust war in Gaza,” he said. “We welcome his vision to restore stability, end the fighting, and secure the release of hostages and prisoners.”
The Egyptian foreign minister called for an end to hunger in Gaza and rejected “any scenario of uprooting the Palestinian people,” warning of the risk of “a new Nakba”, a reference to the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948.
“Israel’s aggression has reached country after country in the region and recently extended to Qatar. The occupation and denial of Palestinian rights empties any talk of security and peace of meaning,” he said. “Israel cannot enjoy security while others live without it. The region will not have stability without a Palestinian state.”
In February, President Trump announced that the US would take the lead in post-war reconstruction in Gaza, proposing the permanent relocation of Gaza residents to other countries, specifically mentioning Jordan and Egypt.
Egyptian authorities have firmly rejected any such proposals, maintaining that Palestinians must not be removed from their land.
Recently, Trump presented a 21-point Gaza peace plan to Arab and Muslim leaders last week. The proposal reportedly includes a full ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.