Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty on Wednesday discussed with US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Wietkov the joint efforts by Egypt, the United States, and Qatar to stabilise the ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the commencement of the second phase of the ceasefire, and achieve calm and de-escalation. The phone call also covered the Gaza reconstruction plan endorsed by Arab and Islamic countries and supported by the European Union, Japan, and other international stakeholders. The two sides discussed effective implementation mechanisms, including issues of security and governance. Abdel-Aty stressed Egypt's commitment to convening an international conference on Gaza reconstruction, in cooperation with the United Nations and the Palestinian government, with the participation of key global actors. The foreign minister underlined the urgent need to ensure the delivery of humanitarian, medical, and shelter aid to Gaza and to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. He also emphasised the importance of creating a political horizon leading to a final settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Abdel-Aty expressed Egypt's aspiration to enhance coordination with the Trump administration to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, highlighting the importance of joint efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent the expansion of conflict given the severe consequences for the region's peoples. For his part, Wietkov praised the close relations between Egypt and the United States and Egypt's vital role in promoting regional peace. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
