UPDATED: Egypt pushes for Gaza reconstruction on sidelines of UN Palestine conference - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

4 days ago

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has outlined Cairo's plans to host an international conference on Gaza's early recovery and reconstruction, once a ceasefire is secured in the war-devastated territory.
Abdelatty's announcement came during diplomatic meetings on the sidelines of the United Nations (UN) High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-organized by France and Saudi Arabia, currently underway in New York.
In a meeting with Haoliang Xu, Acting Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Abdelatty stressed the urgent need for coordinated regional and international efforts to rebuild Gaza's devastated infrastructure.
He also shared details of an Arab-Islamic reconstruction plan, approved during the Arab summit held in Cairo in March, which Egypt aims to implement through the proposed conference.
According to a statement by Egypt's Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of linking reconstruction to a clear political framework that affirms Palestinians' right to self-determination and statehood.
He reiterated Egypt's ongoing mediation efforts to achieve a ceasefire and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, while firmly rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians. He also noted continuing coordination between Egypt and the United States to secure a deal that could help alleviate Gaza's deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
In a separate meeting with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, Abdelatty briefed him on Egypt's upcoming reconstruction conference and urged closer bilateral coordination to rally global support for an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Both ministers agreed on the urgent need for a comprehensive and immediate truce to halt civilian casualties and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.
The New York gathering aims to revive the long-stalled two-state solution.
It comes amid worsening conditions in Gaza, where Israel continues to restrict vital humanitarian supplies — including food, water, and medicine — while expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Currently, 142 of the 193 UN member states officially recognize the State of Palestine.
In a separate meeting, Abdelatty briefed UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Cairo's preparations to host a Gaza reconstruction conference, in cooperation with the UN, the Palestinian Authority, and other international stakeholders.
Abdelatty said the upcoming event aims to rally critical support for the implementation of the Arab-Islamic Gaza reconstruction plan, which is intended to provide the foundational elements for a dignified life for Gaza's population and enable them to remain on their land.
He also reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering support for UNRWA and condemned Israeli efforts to undermine the agency's operations in the Palestinian territories.
Describing UNRWA as a vital lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees, Abdelatty warned that continued attempts to weaken the agency could have dire humanitarian and political consequences.
He stressed the importance of building on the momentum of recent UN meetings, viewing them as positive steps toward resolving the ongoing political impasse and reviving the stalled peace process.
Abdelatty reiterated Egypt's call for a clear political horizon to facilitate a just and comprehensive solution, grounded in international law and UN resolutions, one that ultimately leads to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
He also reaffirmed Egypt's rejection of any attempts to fragment the Palestinian territories by separating the occupied West Bank from Gaza.
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