At the emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty delivered a forceful address condemning Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and its use of starvation as a weapon of war. He accused Israel of committing systematic violations and crimes against a defenseless population, including obstructing humanitarian aid and targeting civilians. Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt “categorically rejects” any attempt to displace Palestinians through siege tactics, describing such actions as blatant breaches of international law and humanitarian principles.
Abdelatty detailed Egypt’s extensive humanitarian support to Gaza, stating that the country has provided nearly 70% of all aid entering the territory—amounting to 550,000 tons—and has treated thousands of wounded Palestinians in Egyptian hospitals. Despite these efforts, more than 5,000 aid trucks remain stranded at the Rafah border due to Israeli restrictions, while Gaza requires at least 700 trucks daily to meet the basic needs of its 2.4 million residents. He called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel to accept a ceasefire proposal already approved by Hamas, stressing the urgency of halting the war and restoring humanitarian access.
The Egyptian minister also condemned Israel’s plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, particularly the announcement of 3,400 new units in the E1 area, which he described as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the possibility of a future Palestinian state. He welcomed recent moves by several countries to recognize Palestinian statehood, calling it a long-overdue step and urging others to follow suit. Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On the sidelines of the OIC meeting, Abdelatty held bilateral talks with counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Kuwait, and Iraq, among others. These discussions focused on coordinating regional efforts to end the war in Gaza, expand humanitarian access, and support Palestinian sovereignty. The ministers collectively rejected any plans to reoccupy Gaza or alter its demographics and emphasized the importance of Arab-Islamic unity in confronting the crisis. Egypt also announced preparations to host the International Conference for Early Recovery and Reconstruction of Gaza, aimed at mobilizing financial support and reinforcing Palestinian presence on their land.
Beyond the Gaza crisis, Abdelatty addressed other regional challenges, including the situations in Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Lebanon. He stressed the need for political solutions, respect for sovereignty, and rejection of foreign interference. The Egyptian foreign minister’s remarks and diplomatic engagements at the OIC meeting underscored Cairo’s central role in regional diplomacy and its commitment to peace, humanitarian relief, and the defense of Palestinian rights.