Egypt and UN Seek Gaza Ceasefire Stability, Warn of West Bank Escalation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a critical phone conversation on Thursday, focusing on urgent measures to solidify the ceasefire in Gaza and reduce severe tensions in the occupied West Bank. The discussion, initiated by Guterres, centered on international efforts to de-escalate the ongoing crisis across the Palestinian territories.

Call for Aid and Ceasefire Implementation

In the talks, Abdelatty emphasized the mandatory need for Israel to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which demands unimpeded humanitarian aid flow into the besieged Gaza Strip. He stressed that the current ceasefire, nominally in effect since early October, remains unstable due to repeated violations. Palestinian health officials report that hundreds have been killed and injured in Gaza since the truce began, highlighting its fragility.

Future Governance and Rejection of Displacement

The dialogue also covered post-conflict planning for Gaza. Abdelatty outlined Egypt's support for forming a Palestinian technocratic committee to administer the enclave as a pathway for the Palestinian Authority's return. He forcefully reiterated Cairo's "absolute rejection" of any Israeli plans to displace Palestinians or alter the geographic and demographic reality of Gaza—a stance strongly aligned with Türkiye's consistent position on Palestinian rights.

Settler Violence and UNRWA's Role

Abdelatty issued a stark warning about the rapidly deteriorating situation in the West Bank, blaming illegal Israeli settler violence and land seizures for fueling broader instability. He called for immediate international intervention to curb these violations. The Foreign Minister also affirmed the indispensable role of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees, whose operations have been heavily restricted by Israel. This support follows Israel's recent raid on a former UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem, an act widely condemned internationally.