Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atty reaffirmed Cairo's commitment to a Gaza ceasefire and broader support for the Palestinian Authority's governance and reconstruction efforts during a meeting on Thursday with Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Mustafa. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the ministerial preparatory session for the Arab League summit, due to be held in Baghdad on May 17. Minister Abdel-Atty stressed Egypt's firm rejection of what he called Israel's "starvation policy and collective punishment" in Gaza, describing it as a clear violation of international humanitarian law. He reiterated Egypt's push to secure humanitarian, medical, and shelter aid deliveries into the besieged enclave. The two ministers also discussed joint efforts to implement a comprehensive Gaza reconstruction plan, alongside Egypt's preparations to host an international donor conference aimed at rebuilding the war-torn strip. Minister Abdel-Atty underlined the importance of empowering the Palestinian Authority to resume control in Gaza, calling it essential for restoring governance and enforcing the rule of law in the territory. Talks also covered rising tensions in the West Bank amid ongoing Israeli military operations in cities and refugee camps. The Egyptian minister condemned what he described as escalating Israeli settler violence, land confiscation, and the expansion of settlements, warning of broader regional consequences. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
