Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, has urged Israel and Hamas to implement a Gaza ceasefire plan "without any delay promptly." This follows reports that the two sides have reached an agreement to release hostages held since October 7, 2023.

Abdelatty’s statement comes at a critical moment in the efforts to resolve a devastating 15-month conflict. 

While U.S. President Joe Biden and other international mediators have announced the agreement.

Trump Announces Deal on Social Media

President-elect Donald Trump and officials from his incoming administration also played a significant role in the negotiations. Trump took to social media, declaring, "We have a deal for the hostages." The announcement came just days before his second inauguration, emphasizing his administration’s involvement.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Abdelatty credited American, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators for their "deep involvement" in facilitating the agreement.

He refrained from addressing Netanyahu’s claims that Hamas had reneged on certain pledges. “What’s very important is to start implementation,” Abdelatty emphasized.

Egypt’s Role as Mediator

Egypt has long been a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, leveraging its unique position as a neighbor to Gaza and a signatory of a peace agreement with Israel. 

Abdelatty confirmed that Cairo will host further talks involving U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian officials to finalize and oversee the deal. An "operation room" in Cairo will monitor its implementation.

“We are fully committed to fulfilling our own commitments and expect others to do the same,” Abdelatty stated.

Israel and Hamas Postwar Governance

Under the terms of the ceasefire, hundreds of truckloads of humanitarian aid are expected to enter Gaza through Egypt’s Rafah border crossing, which has remained closed since the Israeli army’s takeover in May. 

Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s aim to allow 600 trucks a day to provide relief to the besieged population.

Abdelatty also discussed the future governance of Gaza, stressing the need to empower the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority (PA). “We have to empower the Palestinian Authority,” he said, adding that Egypt is ready to collaborate with the U.S. to bolster Palestinian security forces.

International Collaboration 

The European Union (EU) is expected to play a significant role in the operation of the Rafah crossing. 

An EU mission previously managed the crossing in coordination with Israel and the PA before Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007. Abdelatty expressed optimism about the EU’s involvement, stating, “The EU presence would be of great importance.”

Beyond Gaza, Egypt is grappling with the broader impact of the conflict. Seaborne attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have disrupted shipping through the Suez Canal, costing Egypt approximately $600 million in monthly revenue. 

The influx of 10 million refugees and migrants, including tens of thousands of Palestinians, has also strained the country’s resources.

“We are not a rich country,” he said.

The Path Forward to Peace

Abdelatty underscored the importance of establishing an independent Palestinian state encompassing the West Bank and Gaza as the only viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

He also called for immediate measures to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging all parties to fulfill their commitments without delay.