Egypt pushes for lasting Gaza ceasefire, post-war reconstruction plan: FM Abdelatty - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

13 hours ago

In an interview aired on Sunday evening with presenter Lamis El-Hadidy, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty outlined key elements of a potential Gaza ceasefire agreement currently being developed by the United States, with mediation from Egypt and Qatar.
'We hope for a sustainable solution and a lasting ceasefire. What is currently on the table is a first step—a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages and the rapid entry of humanitarian and medical aid into Gaza,' Abdelatty said.
'The hope is that this will build the momentum necessary to sustain the ceasefire and transition to the second phase, which is based on the 19 January agreement.'
He stressed that the proposed agreement would serve as a foundation for a longer-term truce supported by international guarantees. 'There is an American understanding of the importance of including guarantees in any forthcoming agreement to ensure it holds. Renewed aggression would seriously threaten regional stability.'
Asked about Hamas's involvement, Abdelatty confirmed its participation. 'Of course Hamas is part of the talks, as the deal concerns the release of hostages and Palestinian detainees.'
He also noted a shift in Washington's focus toward Gaza, saying any deal must include firm guarantees to prevent renewed conflict. 'We hope to reach an agreement on Gaza within a week or two.'
His comments came after US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that a ceasefire could be reached 'within the next week'—a statement met with scepticism from Israeli officials.
Gaza reconstruction conference to follow ceasefire
Egypt is preparing to host an international conference on Gaza's post-war reconstruction and governance within weeks of a ceasefire agreement being reached.
The initiative is part of a broader Arab–Islamic plan, endorsed at the extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo on 4 March and later supported by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the European Union (EU), China, and Russia.
'We are working vigorously to convene the Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo, to implement the Arab–Islamic plan,' Abdelatty said, adding that coordination is ongoing with the United Nations and the World Bank.
He confirmed that all preparatory work—including the agenda, expected outcomes, and logistical planning—has been completed.
The two-day conference will feature four workshops focused on the role of the private sector in early recovery, security arrangements, governance of Gaza, and the question of who will administer the territory.
Abdelatty said Egypt's priority is enabling Palestinians to remain on their land and resist displacement by launching swift recovery projects, including temporary housing for displaced families.
He addressed previous proposals to redevelop Gaza into a "riviera," rejecting any such plans. 'Displacement is a red line for both Egypt and Jordan,' he said.
On governance, he stressed the need for clarity. 'No party will invest in reconstruction without a clear vision for Gaza's security and administration. The central question remains: who will govern Gaza?'
Post-war governance and Palestinian statehood
Governance, Abdelatty said, is 'a critical question' for Palestinians and the international community alike.
Egypt's position is that the Palestinian Authority (PA) should lead, reaffirming the territorial and political unity of Gaza and the occupied West Bank. 'Our proposal includes forming a non-factional technocratic committee to administer Gaza for six months, in coordination with the PA.'
He said Egypt has suggested redeploying trained Palestinian police to manage security in the Strip.
Regarding a possible Arab or international peacekeeping force, he stated that Cairo would not oppose such a deployment—if it were part of a clear political framework leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
'Any international presence, potentially including Arab forces, must be linked to a defined political horizon,' he said. Egypt's participation remains on the table under those conditions.
Abdelatty stated that the international community now overwhelmingly supports the necessity of a two-state solution and the realization of a Palestinian state.
He stressed that Egypt prefers to speak of 'realizing the Palestinian state' rather than invoking the 'two-state solution,' which he said currently allows Israel, whose government opposes it, to act as a veto-wielding party.
'There is no partner at present. The current Israeli government rejects the two-state solution,' he said. Moreover, he stressed the need for joint action and pressure to realize the Palestinian state, as it is the only guarantee for regional security and stability.
'We are facing an international system that lacks unified rules and standards applicable to all ongoing conflicts.'
He criticized the lack of consistent international standards in dealing with conflicts, noting that some states 'place themselves above international and humanitarian law'—a reality Egypt cannot accept.
On the question of Hamas's weapons, Abdelatty argued that if a genuine political path to statehood were in place, no group would have justification to bear arms and that the PA must be empowered to perform its security duties in Gaza.
Middle East security and Iran–Israel dynamics
Abdelatty dismissed speculation about redrawing the map of the Middle East as 'an illusion,' warning that force and military dominance do not bring stability.
He said Egypt remains committed to its peace treaty with Israel but has consistently warned Israeli leaders that overwhelming force will not deliver long-term security. 'Regional security requires the will of all states involved—not just one.'
He argued that no nation—no matter how powerful or well-supported—can unilaterally shape the region, pointing to the failures of past hegemonic approaches as evidence that lasting security depends on cooperation and inclusion.
Asked whether the current Israel–Iran ceasefire would hold, Abdelatty said Egypt is engaged in daily communications with relevant parties and encouraging renewed negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
He stated that the recent conflict had not fundamentally altered the regional balance of power, as it was only an attack and a response.
He called for a regional security framework that includes nuclear security, reiterating Egypt's demand for a WMD-free zone, and pointed out that Iran is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), while Israel is not.
Abdelatty voiced concern over the Dimona nuclear facility near Egypt's border and the risk of Iranian retaliation, noting that both Egypt and Jordan are 'in the area of fire.'
He said Egypt–Iran ties are gradually improving, citing the renaming of a street in Tehran that previously honoured the assassin of President Anwar Sadat. He expressed hope for complete diplomatic restoration and future cooperation in trade and tourism.
Despite weaknesses in the international legal system, Abdelatty said Egypt will continue pushing for accountability and the rule of law as the only path to real security.