Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt has called for Israel to withdraw from Gaza and for the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, as part of broader discussions with the United States on regional stability and bilateral cooperation. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made the call during a meeting in Cairo on Sunday with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
The meeting focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States, as well as expanding political and economic cooperation. According to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the discussions also covered developments in Gaza, Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and Egypt’s water security.
Abdelatty emphasized the importance of implementing the second phase of the ceasefire plan for Gaza, supporting a national committee responsible for governing the territory, and deploying an international stabilization force to monitor the ceasefire. Central to this plan, he said, is the full reopening of the Rafah crossing in both directions and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, which Egypt views as essential for humanitarian recovery and reconstruction.
The Rafah border crossing is a critical lifeline for the flow of aid into Gaza. On Sunday, Israel’s Army Radio reported that Washington had reached an understanding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the crossing’s reopening, while the Israeli news portal Walla indicated that it is expected to reopen later this week.
The ceasefire arrangement that Egypt and the US are helping to facilitate came after two years of intense conflict in Gaza, which has claimed over 71,000 lives, mostly women and children and left more than 171,000 people injured since October 2023.
Abdelatty also highlighted Egypt’s participation in US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” an international organization aiming to restore governance, strengthen the rule of law, and promote lasting peace in regions affected by conflict. He expressed Cairo’s readiness to coordinate with international partners to stabilize Gaza, support reconstruction efforts, and ensure the safety of civilians.
Egypt’s stance reinforces its long-standing role as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, seeking to balance humanitarian imperatives with regional security objectives. Analysts say the reopening of Rafah and a structured Israeli withdrawal could mark a critical step toward long-term recovery in Gaza.
