Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, sharply criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza during an international conference held in Cairo on Monday. Addressing a gathering of nearly 100 ministerial delegations, civil society representatives, and UN officials, Abdelatty condemned what he described as “Israeli occupation forces” and the world’s failure to act against the ongoing bloodshed in the besieged Gaza Strip.
In a powerful speech, Abdelatty called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Rafah Border Crossing, Gaza’s only access point to Egypt, to facilitate the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid. The conference, titled “A Year of Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza: Urgent Needs and Sustainable Solutions,” was organized by Egypt and the UN to mobilize international support for the Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing military actions, which have led to significant civilian casualties.
“The discussions at the conference reflected a strong commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ending the suffering of the Palestinian people,” said the final statement. However, Abdelatty lamented the global inaction, highlighting what he called “the failure of the international community” to stop the bloodshed and hold Israel accountable for violations of international law.
The Egyptian diplomat accused Israel of using famine, blockade, and mass displacement as tactics against Palestinians, labeling these actions as collective punishment. He criticized the limited aid allowed into Gaza, noting that it fell far short of the overwhelming needs of the population, who are suffering amid Israeli bombardments, disease outbreaks, and the threat of famine.
Cairo, which has historically played a key role in mediating peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians, has seen tensions rise with Israel since the war on Gaza began in October 2023. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 44,000 Palestinians, with a significant portion of the casualties being women and children.
Abdelatty also urged continued support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), after Israel recently banned its operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel. The move, which has raised concerns of an impending humanitarian disaster, was condemned by Egypt as an “unacceptable disregard for the international community.”
The conference concluded with a call for future reconstruction efforts in Gaza to be coordinated by the Palestinian government, with the support of the UN and international community. Notably absent from the event was the United States, Israel’s closest ally, which has faced increasing scrutiny over its stance on the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
