Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a continued effort to ease tensions in the Middle East, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty reiterated Egypt’s firm stance in favor of de-escalation and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions to the region’s pressing crises. Speaking during a phone conversation on Wednesday with U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, Abdel Aaty stressed that military solutions are not viable avenues for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue or the broader challenges facing the region.
According to a statement by the official spokesperson for Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, the conversation formed part of ongoing high-level consultations between Cairo and Washington, focused on regional developments, particularly the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the state of the Iranian nuclear file.
Abdel Aaty underscored the critical need to resume diplomatic negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, emphasizing Egypt’s commitment to supporting efforts that would reinforce regional and international stability. He pointed to Egypt’s active diplomatic engagements aimed at restoring the negotiation process, positioning dialogue as the only sustainable path forward.
Turning to the war in Gaza, the Egyptian foreign minister called for the urgent capitalization on what he described as a “rare window of opportunity” following Hamas’s recent acceptance of a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. The proposal includes a 60-day truce period intended to pave the way for comprehensive negotiations toward ending the nearly two-year-long conflict and establishing the groundwork for a just and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue.
“The approval of the American proposal by Hamas presents a critical chance to halt a war that has dragged on far too long and inflicted immeasurable suffering,” Abdel Aaty said. He urged Israel to respond constructively and implement the proposal’s key provisions, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard civilian lives, protect hostages, and facilitate the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population.
“The people of Gaza are enduring a systematic policy of starvation and deprivation,” the foreign minister added, stressing that alleviating this humanitarian crisis must be a priority for all involved parties.
Egypt has long played a mediating role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and continues to be one of the few actors maintaining open channels with all sides. In recent months, Cairo has intensified its diplomatic efforts to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza, working closely with both regional and international partners.
As diplomatic conversations continue, Egypt remains steadfast in its dual approach: promoting dialogue over confrontation and advocating for a comprehensive, fair solution that upholds the rights of the Palestinian people while contributing to broader regional stability.
