Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks on Friday with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, underscoring renewed regional coordination over the future of Gaza and the broader Palestinian question amid mounting diplomatic activity in Washington and across the Middle East.
The phone call comes at a sensitive juncture in the Gaza conflict, as negotiations continue over the implementation of the second phase of a U.S.-backed framework intended to consolidate a ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian access, and lay the groundwork for a political transition in the enclave. Both ministers emphasized the need to intensify regional and international efforts to ensure that commitments are fulfilled in full, without selective implementation.
Central to the discussions was the question of governance in Gaza once hostilities subside. Abdelatty and Dar expressed support for a proposed national committee to administer Gaza on a temporary basis, tasked with overseeing the daily affairs of the territory’s residents. The arrangement, described as transitional, is intended to pave the way for the return of the Palestinian Authority to resume its responsibilities in Gaza, a move widely viewed by Arab governments as essential to preserving Palestinian political unity and preventing long-term fragmentation.
Egypt has consistently warned against any separation between Gaza and the West Bank, arguing that the territorial and political unity of the Palestinian territories must be preserved as a foundation for any credible peace process. During the call, Abdelatty reiterated Cairo’s firm rejection of attempts to detach Gaza from the West Bank or to alter the demographic and territorial status of the enclave.
The two ministers also discussed preparations for an upcoming peace-related meeting in Washington, where Arab and Islamic countries are expected to coordinate positions. Diplomatic sources say the consultations are focused on ensuring that the elements of the American plan, including security arrangements, governance reform, reconstruction, and humanitarian guarantees are implemented comprehensively.
In this context, both sides reaffirmed support for the stated opposition of U.S. President Donald Trump to the annexation of the West Bank, viewing such a stance as essential to preventing further escalation. Arab officials have repeatedly warned that annexation would undermine prospects for a two-state solution and risk triggering wider instability across the region.
Abdelatty also stressed Egypt’s backing for the formation and deployment of an international stabilization force to monitor and support the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Such a force, he argued, would help build confidence among the parties, ensure compliance with agreed terms, and create conditions conducive to reconstruction and political normalization.
Humanitarian access remained a central concern in the discussions. Both ministers highlighted the urgency of ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of aid to Gaza’s civilian population, which has faced extensive infrastructure damage, displacement, and shortages of essential supplies. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s longstanding call for Israel to withdraw from areas it currently controls inside the Gaza Strip, describing such a move as necessary to consolidate the ceasefire and reduce tensions.
The exchange between Cairo and Islamabad reflects broader diplomatic efforts underway among key regional actors to prevent renewed escalation and to craft a viable post-conflict framework. Egypt, which has historically played a mediating role between Palestinian factions and Israel, has intensified consultations with Arab, Islamic, and international partners in recent weeks.
At the close of their call, Abdelatty and Dar agreed on the importance of continued coordination in the period ahead, not only regarding Gaza but also concerning other crises affecting the region. Both ministers identified de-escalation and the reduction of tensions as top priorities to safeguard regional security and stability.
As diplomatic maneuvering accelerates, the coming weeks are likely to test whether political consensus can be translated into tangible progress on the ground particularly on ceasefire monitoring, humanitarian relief, and the re-establishment of unified Palestinian governance.
