Egypt’s FM, UK Security Adviser Discuss Gaza Developments Amid Ongoing Israeli Offensive

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and British National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell discussed on Sunday the latest developments in Palestine amid Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, now entering its 19th consecutive month.

According to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two officials, during a phone call, also reviewed the overall bilateral relations between Egypt and the United Kingdom. 

Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s keenness to "enhance bilateral relations across political, economic, and investment fields," building on the outcomes of the second session of the Egypt-UK Association Council held in Cairo last January.

The discussion also included an exchange of views on regional developments, particularly the situation in Palestine.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel — with unconditional U.S. support — has carried out extensive military operations in Gaza that have resulted in what many international observers describe as acts of genocide. The ongoing assault has left nearly 170,000 Palestinians killed or injured, the majority of them women and children, with more than 11,000 reported missing. Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli forces and settlers have intensified attacks, killing over 958 Palestinians, injuring approximately 7,000, and arresting around 16,400 people, according to Palestinian sources.

The Foreign Ministry noted that Abdelatty briefed Powell on "Egypt’s efforts to resume the ceasefire in Gaza and advance to the second phase of the agreement."

The first phase of the Egypt- and Qatar-mediated ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, backed by the United States, commenced on January 19, but ended on March 1. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces international legal scrutiny, abandoned the commitment to the second phase and resumed military operations on March 18, responding to pressure from the far-right factions within his government, according to Israeli media.

Abdelatty  emphasized the "urgent need for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza," where Israel’s 18-year blockade has devastated living conditions. Currently, about 1.5 million out of Gaza's 2.4 million population have been displaced, and the region faces imminent famine due to Tel Aviv's closure of humanitarian crossings.

The Egyptian minister also updated Powell on Cairo’s preparations to host an international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, in collaboration with the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority.

Egypt seeks to implement a reconstruction plan, endorsed by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in March, aiming to rebuild Gaza over five years at an estimated cost of $53 billion — without the displacement of Palestinians. However, Israel and the United States have rejected the plan, instead advocating for a controversial proposal, initially introduced under former U.S.

President Donald Trump, that would relocate Gaza’s population to neighboring countries, a move Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab and international organizations firmly oppose.