CAIRO, Aug 25 (KUNA) -- Egypt, on Monday, held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the ongoing war in Gaza, citing its deliberate disregard for mediation efforts, including the latest proposal approved by Hamas aimed at achieving a ceasefire, releasing prisoners and hostages, and ensuring humanitarian aid access.
In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry reported that Minister Badr Abdelatty delivered the remarks during an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, addressing the Israeli occupation's aggression against the Palestinians.
Abdelatty strongly condemned the expansion of the occupation's military operations in Gaza and called on the international community to exercise all forms of pressure on the Israeli occupation to accept the proposed deal, based on US envoy Steve Witkoff's initiative.
He warned that the Israeli occupation continues to commit grave violations against civilians, including policies of starvation, siege, and obstruction of aid, and emphasized Egypt's rejection of any attempts at forced displacement of Palestinians.
The minister highlighted that Egypt has provided around 70 percent of aid entering Gaza, totaling 550,000 tons, while stressing the need to allow at least 700 trucks daily to meet civilian needs, noting that over 5,000 trucks remain stalled on the Egyptian side due to the obstacles imposed by the Israeli occupation.
Abdelatty also condemned the Israeli occupation's violations in the occupied West Bank, including plans to build 3,400 settlement units in the "E1" area, in blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions, aimed at fragmenting the West Bank and undermining the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
He reiterated Egypt's firm rejection of the Israeli occupation rhetoric regarding "Greater Israel," describing it as an expression of brute force that Egypt will neither accept, warning that such initiatives will only fuel conflict and instability.
The minister reaffirmed that the Palestinian cause remains a top priority for Egypt's foreign policy and reiterated support for an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and welcomed recent international move to recognizing Palestine as a state, saying that this is a crucial milestone for Palestinian rights.
Abdelatty emphasized President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi's rejection of any forced displacement plans and Egypt's full solidarity with the Palestinian people, stressing that security and peace in the region depend on fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. (end) aff.dss