Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for all efforts aimed at reaching a political settlement to the Palestinian issue.
He emphasized that these efforts must include backing mediation initiatives to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, stem bloodshed, and ensure humanitarian relief for the Palestinian people.
He reiterated Egypt’s firm rejection and condemnation of any proposals or attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian population, warning that such actions could dangerously escalate the conflict and spread instability across the region in uncontrollable ways.
Madbouly’s remarks came during his participation in a high-level meeting titled “The Day After and Supporting Stability in Gaza,” held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The meeting was attended by Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and a number of Arab and international officials.
Madbouly’s attendance at this meeting is part of his participation, on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi as he is heading a senior Egyptian delegation, in the Two-State Solution Conference and the high-level segment of the 80th UN General Assembly, held under the theme: “We Are Better Together: 80 Years of Peace, Development and Human Rights.”
Madbouly began his speech by thanking French President Emmanuel Macron for convening the meeting and for his steadfast efforts to support Palestinian rights.
He noted that the outcomes of these efforts, in conjunction with Saudi Arabia’s key role, were embodied in the Two-State Solution Conference held the previous day.
Egypt views that conference as a crucial starting point toward a just and sustainable resolution to the Palestinian issue, based on the two-state framework and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, he said.
He also praised France’s historic decision to recognize the State of Palestine.
Madbouly stressed that any vision for addressing the “day after” scenario in Gaza and ending cycles of violence must not treat Gaza in isolation from the root causes of the conflict.
A clearer framework was already established through the Arab-Islamic Reconstruction Plan and the Two-State Conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia. Any future approaches must be linked to a defined path and mechanisms for actualizing a Palestinian state, recognizing Gaza as an inseparable part of that state, he added.
He emphasized the urgent need for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and a prisoner-exchange deal involving Palestinian detainees.
He asserted that the West Bank and Gaza must be under a single governing authority: the Palestinian Authority.
The PM underscored that the Palestinian state institutions should have the exclusive right to possess arms.
Egypt supports a framework where international guarantees provide mutual security assurances for both Palestinians and Israelis, he said.
This naturally excludes any role for Hamas or other armed factions in governing Gaza, calling for all armed groups to hand over their weapons to the legitimate governing body, the Palestinian Authority, he said.
Madbouly pointed out that past experiences in disarming militant groups amid conflict zones have always required a political settlement agreement that includes a disarmament clause.
He said that Egypt welcomes the possibility of international support including the presence of a UN-mandated mission on the ground.
