CAIRO – 22 September 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty called for collective action to defend the principles of international humanitarian law, which are being undermined by “Israel’s reckless policies in the region”.
This came during a meeting with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), held in New York, according to a statement released by the foreign ministry in Cairo Monday.
During the meeting 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,
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.
Moreover, he 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.
Mon, Sep. 22, 2025
