Egypt's foreign minister on Monday demanded that the Netherlands provide increased security for the Egyptian embassy in The Hague following a recent attack on the building, the foreign ministry said in a statement. In a phone call with his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed the Netherlands' responsibility under international law to protect the diplomatic mission. Abdelatty expressed "deep dissatisfaction" over the incident and warned that it could lead to "similar measures" from the Egyptian side, emphasizing the Dutch responsibility to prevent a recurrence of such "unfortunate events." For his part, the Dutch minister expressed his deep regret over what he described as an "isolated incident" in front of the embassy. He said he had spoken with the relevant security authorities and that they intended to intensify security measures at the embassy, in line with the host country's responsibilities under international agreements. Veldkamp also stressed the close relations between the two countries, which he said were based on mutual respect and common interests. The two ministers also exchanged views on the "catastrophic" situation in the Gaza Strip. Abdel-Aty briefed his counterpart on Egypt's intensive efforts to reach a truce that would ensure a ceasefire, the unrestricted entry of aid, and the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners. He noted that Hamas had agreed to most of the clauses in the proposal by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and stressed the importance of the Israeli side also agreeing to it. Abdel-Aty, who recently visited the Rafah crossing with the Palestinian prime minister, also called for pressure on Israel to open the crossings that link it to the Gaza Strip. He asked the Netherlands to use its role within the European Union to help stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and outlined Egypt's preparations to host an international conference for the early recovery and reconstruction of the enclave once a ceasefire is reached. The Dutch minister praised Egypt's positive role in working towards a deal to ensure a ceasefire and the delivery of aid to the Palestinian people, the statement said.
