Cairo: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdulatty emphasized the urgent necessity for unified regional and international efforts to stop Israel's "blatant violations" in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. According to Kuwait News Agency, this call to action was made during a meeting on Monday between Abdulatty and US Senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley, both members of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry released a statement detailing the discussions, which included ways to enhance bilateral relations between Egypt and the United States. Both parties expressed interest in expanding cooperation in political, security, and military areas, as well as strengthening economic, trade, and investment ties. Abdulatty reviewed the dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, warning that conditions had deteriorated to the point of famine. He highlighted a joint Egyptian-Qatari proposal aimed at securing a ceasefire, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, and fa cilitating the release of hostages and detainees. The minister urged the international community to exert more pressure on Israel to comply with global efforts to end the ongoing conflict. He cautioned against the potential expansion of military operations in Gaza and ongoing settlement activities in the West Bank, which he said could undermine the prospects for a two-state solution. Furthermore, he reiterated Egypt's firm rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from their land. Abdulatty also presented key elements of an Arab plan for early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, as well as Egypt's plans to host a conference following the establishment of a ceasefire. The meeting also addressed the situation in Sudan, with Abdulatty reiterating Egypt's support for Sudan's state institutions and the importance of preserving the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He affirmed Egypt's readiness to engage with initiatives aimed at achieving an immediate ceasefire and alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Sudanese people. The two US senators shared their observations from recent visits to the Egyptian cities of Arish and Rafah. They witnessed Egypt's humanitarian efforts through the Egyptian Red Crescent's logistics center and the Rafah border crossing and observed the medical support provided to injured Palestinians in Egyptian hospitals. Both senators commended Egypt's pivotal and constructive role in advocating for a ceasefire and delivering critical humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
