Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt has officially launched preparations to train Palestinian security forces, as part of a broader effort to support stability in Gaza and lay the groundwork for a post-war political settlement. The announcement was made by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during a high-level meeting on Gaza’s future held at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Speaking at the “Day After” meeting, which focused on plans to stabilize Gaza following the end of hostilities, Madbouly confirmed that Egypt has already initiated steps to train Palestinian security personnel and is ready to expand the program with international support.
“Egypt has begun procedures to train Palestinian security forces,” Madbouly said. “We are fully prepared to scale up this effort, provided there is backing from the international community.”
Support for International Mission in Gaza
The Egyptian premier also signaled Cairo’s openness to support any international mission designed to facilitate the return of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to the Gaza Strip and advance the broader goal of establishing a sovereign Palestinian state.
“Egypt is prepared to support efforts aimed at creating an international mission to assist the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza and to build a Palestinian state,” Madbouly said. However, he stressed the need for a mutually agreed-upon political framework between Israel and the United States before detailed discussions on the mandate and structure of such a mission could begin.
“These details will naturally take shape in accordance with whatever is agreed upon politically,” he added, emphasizing the need for early alignment between key stakeholders.
Regional and International Participation
The meeting was attended by a number of senior Arab and international officials, including Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The gathering took place on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, under the overarching theme: “Together for Peace, Development, and Human Rights, 80 Years and Beyond.”
Madbouly was in New York leading a high-level delegation on behalf of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, participating in both the two-state solution conference and the opening of the UNGA high-level segment.
Acknowledging French and Saudi Initiatives
At the outset of his remarks, Madbouly extended gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for organizing the meeting and for France’s recent diplomatic moves in support of Palestinian statehood. He also recognized the significant role played by Saudi Arabia in pushing forward the two-state solution initiative.
“The conference held yesterday [on the two-state solution], thanks to the efforts of France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a launch point toward a fair and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue,” said Madbouly. “Egypt views the establishment of a Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital as the cornerstone of any sustainable peace in the region.”
Madbouly also praised President Macron’s “historic decision” to formally recognize the State of Palestine a move that has been welcomed by much of the Arab world and is seen as a potential turning point in international recognition efforts.
Strategic Calculations and Timing
Egypt’s announcement comes at a critical moment as regional and international stakeholders begin to engage in serious planning for the post-conflict phase in Gaza. With increasing international consensus on the need for a durable ceasefire and a comprehensive political resolution, Cairo is positioning itself as a central player in the transition leveraging its geographic proximity, longstanding role as a mediator, and its close relationships with both the Palestinian Authority and international powers.
By offering to train Palestinian security forces and potentially facilitate their return to Gaza under international supervision, Egypt is signaling both its commitment to regional stability and its support for a revitalized Palestinian political structure, one that could potentially sideline militant groups and reintegrate Gaza into a broader two-state framework.
