Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty firmly opposed any Israeli military presence on the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to the pre-October 7 status quo at the border.
Speaking at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Abdel Aty emphasized Egypt’s unwavering efforts to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and end the ongoing war.
Abdel Aty highlighted the alignment between Egypt and the U.S. on key issues, including the necessity of a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the swift entry of humanitarian aid.
He condemned Hezbollah’s recent pager explosions in Lebanon, warning that such actions could spark a “regional war.”
When asked about Lebanon’s situation and Egypt’s stance, Abdel Aty reaffirmed Egypt’s opposition to any unilateral measures that threaten Lebanon’s stability and unity.
“We stand with the Lebanese government and people and condemn any violation of their sovereignty,” he stated, stressing that escalations could lead to a full-scale regional war.
Egypt and the U.S. are focused on preventing such outcomes while maintaining attention on achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister also addressed human rights issues, noting that Egypt’s national strategy is aimed at benefiting its people, not appeasing external parties.
He discussed regional matters with Blinken, including the situation in Sudan and Libya, and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Abdel Aty reiterated that water security is existential for Egypt and stressed the importance of a binding legal agreement on the dam’s operation to protect the interests of downstream nations.
Additionally, Abdel Aty and Blinken discussed the Horn of Africa, emphasizing the need to preserve Somalia’s unity, and called for the Middle East to be free of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear arms.
The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced, Tuesday, that more than 11,000 students have been killed and 17,772 injured since the beginning of the Israeli war in October.
