CAIRO – 16 July 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s rejection of the establishment of a humanitarian city for tents in southern Gaza or any demographic changes in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The foreign minister made the remarks he spoke to US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff via phone on Wednesday to discuss the intensive efforts made to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure its sustainability.
The Israeli government is circulating a scheme to relocate hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, already displaced by Israeli forces during the war that broke out in October 2023, to a so-called humanitarian city in southern Gaza.
The proposed humanitarian city set to be controlled by the Israeli army, which has already killed nearly 58,500 Palestinians since the beginning of the war, including through strikes on displacement camps and areas designated by them as safe zones.
In response to the plan, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reiterated firm rejection of “any plan that involves forced displacements of civilians in Gaza or forces (them) to make impossible choices,” Reuters reported on Tuesday.
The plan, first raised by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz last week and enjoys the support of their far-right officials, follows a widely-condemned proposals by US President Donald Trump this year to relocate Gazans to other countries.
Renewed Talks
Abdelatty’s remarks come while Cairo is currently hosting delegations from Egypt, Qatar, and Israel for talks to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and efforts for humanitarian aid delivery.
The talks, which is set to last for a couple of days, also covers the evacuation of patients and the return of stranded individuals, according to Al Qahera News.
Informed sources informed the channel of “notable progress” during the talks, with consensus achieved regarding several humanitarian-related provisions as part of the proposed ceasefire and captive release agreement.
Hamas and Israel have been engaged in indirect talks over the past days in a bid to secure a 60-day ceasefire, which is set to include the release of around 10 living captives from Gaza and continued negotiations for an end to the war.
Abdelatty discussed with Witkoff efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, which would lead to the release of a group of captives as well as the unimpeded and adequate delivery of humanitarian aid in light of the disastrous situation in the enclave.
Moreover, Abdelatty highlighted Egypt's proposal to host an international conference for the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza following a ceasefire.
The conference is set to contribute to the rapid recovery and initiation of the reconstruction process in accordance with the Arab-Islamic plan on this matter, the foreign minister added.
Witkoff praised the Egyptian efforts, led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to enhance security and stability in the region, emphasizing Egypt as a key partner for the United States in this regard.
Israel-Iran Tensions
The foreign ministry said Abdelatty has made phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi besides Witkoff, as per directives by Sisi to intensify communications aimed at reducing regional tensions.
During the phone calls, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of pursuing peaceful solutions and resuming negotiations regarding the Iranian nuclear program, especially given the conviction that there are no military solutions to this issue or other crises facing the region, the foreign ministry said.
The conversations also involved exchanging ideas and perspectives on ways to de-escalate tensions and completely consolidate the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, ensuring the prevention of renewed hostilities and promoting a political and peaceful path forward.
Wed, Jul. 16, 2025
