Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty called for urgent and collective action to defend the principles of international humanitarian law, which, he said, are being undermined by Israel’s reckless policies in the region.
In a meeting with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), held in New York, Abdelatty outlined Egypt’s efforts to halt the war in the Gaza Strip and highlighted the country’s leading humanitarian role, providing 70% of total aid delivered to the enclave, according to a statement released by the foreign ministry in Cairo Monday.
He praised the Egyptian Red Crescent’s pivotal partnership with the ICRC, commending the work of the committee’s mission in Cairo and its cooperation with Egyptian authorities in responding to humanitarian crises in Gaza and Sudan.
Abdelatty also welcomed the ICRC’s work in helping states enhance compliance with international humanitarian law, especially amid what he described as a marked decline in respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention, particularly by Israel.
He lauded Spoljaric’s stance in rejecting Israeli military operations in Gaza, the killing of unarmed civilians, starvation tactics, and targeting of medical and humanitarian personnel. He warned of the severe consequences of continued military action in Gaza and reiterated Egypt’s categorical rejection of any displacement plans under any pretext.
Abdelatty stressed the need to maintain pressure on Israel to uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law as an occupying power and to reach a permanent Gaza ceasefire and allow unimpeded humanitarian access.
He also discussed preparations for the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development and Egypt’s readiness to host an international conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza once a ceasefire is reached, expressing hope for strong ICRC participation in both events.
