CAIRO, Aug 17 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty stressed on Sunday the urgent need to sustain international support for implementing the Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, which outlines requirements for early recovery, infrastructure rebuilding, and restoring basic services as a prelude to the enclave’s long-term development.
Abdelatty made the remarks during his meeting in New Alamein city with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, in the presence of Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy and Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Mohamed Ayman Ashour.
Abdelatty reviewed preparations for the upcoming Cairo Conference on Gaza Early Recovery and Reconstruction to be convened once a ceasefire is reached, with both sides discussing detailed arrangements for the event.
The minister reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people in obtaining their legitimate rights and establishing their independent state, while also updating on Egypt’s mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire.
He stressed Egypt’s categorical rejection of any displacement of Palestinians, denouncing Israel’s policy of starvation and blockade in Gaza, as well as its systematic settlement expansion and violations in the occupied territories.
The minister underlined Egypt’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian Authority (PA) to enable it to assume its responsibilities in both Gaza and the West Bank, highlighting the need to activate a temporary Gaza management committee until the PA fully resumes its role in the Strip. He also voiced Egypt’s readiness to help restore order by training Palestinian police forces to fill the security vacuum in Gaza.
For her part, Minister Maya Morsy outlined Egypt’s humanitarian efforts in Gaza, noting that the Egyptian Red Crescent has facilitated the entry of tens of thousands of aid trucks through the Rafah border crossing carrying hundreds of thousands of tons of relief supplies, alongside dozens of ambulances.
Egypt has also treated thousands of injured and ill Palestinians at its hospitals, she added.
Meanwhile, Minister Ashour reviewed the executive framework and program documents for the reconstruction plan, emphasizing the importance of ensuring effectiveness and sustainability across infrastructure, services, social protection, economic development, and local governance.
He confirmed ongoing coordination with Palestinian counterparts to finalize the plan in its complete form.
The Palestinian premier hailed Egypt’s leading role in supporting the Palestinian cause and substantial humanitarian efforts in delivering aid to Gaza, praising Cairo’s initiative in drafting the Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction and its work on early recovery. (MENA)
