Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed that US President Donald Trump’s peace plan stipulates that the reopening of Rafah crossing must be in both directions, and will not be a gateway for displacing Palestinians from their land.
In his remarks on Saturday during his participation in the Doha Forum, Abdelatty added that “Upholding the ceasefire is a top priority, as it is the necessary prerequisite for an orderly transition to the second phase of President Trump’s peace plan.”
The implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 remains crucial, particularly regarding the role of the international stabilization force as a peacekeeping force, he noted.
“This force, along with the Palestinian technocratic committee and the International Peace Council, are temporary arrangements paving the way for the Palestinian Authority to resume its full functions, within a geographically contiguous area between the West Bank and Gaza Strip,” the Foreign Minister explained.
Aid continues
He explained that this phase requires the unhindered delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid, alongside the commencement of early recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The Foreign Minister assured that the Rafah crossing is operating continuously from the Egyptian side, and that the problem lies with Israel, which closes the crossing from the Palestinian side.
Abdelatty further noted that Israel controls five other crossings connecting it to the Gaza Strip, and bears the responsibility for opening them.
The Foreign Minister affirmed Egypt’s commitment to continuing its efforts with various regional and international parties to consolidate the ceasefire and support a path leading to a just settlement of the Palestinian issue based on the principles of international legitimacy – in a way that achieves security and stability and preserves the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
