Egypt Rejects Any Attempt to Divide Gaza: Foreign Minister Asserts Palestinian Territorial Unity and Two-State Solution as "Only Realistic Option"

In a comprehensive interview with the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica," Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty reviewed the intensive diplomatic efforts by Cairo to stabilize the Sharm El Sheikh agreement and ensure the full implementation of all its clauses. Abdel Aty affirmed Egypt's constants regarding the Palestinian issue and other hot regional files.

Gaza and the Palestinian Cause: Egyptian Constants

Abdel Aty stressed Egypt's decisive stance, affirming "Egypt's complete rejection of any attempt to divide the Gaza Strip or displace Palestinians."

The Minister clarified that "preserving the unity of the Palestinian territories is an essential pillar for any just, lasting, and comprehensive solution." He also indicated that "the Two-State Solution remains the only realistic option for achieving peace in the region."

Regarding the negotiation process, Abdel Aty praised the US role, explaining that "direct engagement by the United States was a crucial factor in overcoming the obstacles faced by previous rounds of negotiation."

The Minister called for "continuing to push towards the implementation of all phases of the Sharm El Sheikh peace plan," including the formation of a Palestinian committee to temporarily administer the Strip, paving the way for the Palestinian Authority to assume its full responsibilities. To achieve this goal, Abdel Aty confirmed that Cairo "hosts Palestinian faction dialogues and works to create a consensus environment that ensures the preservation of the Palestinian territorial unity."

Regional Situations: Sudan and Libya

Abdel Aty also touched upon the worsening situations in neighboring countries, focusing on:

• Sudan: He pointed to the danger of the escalating situation, stressing the necessity for "Sudanese parties to engage in a comprehensive national political process" that preserves the state's unity and institutions.

• Libya: Abdel Aty outlined the priority Egypt places on restoring stability in Libya through:

  • Unifying the Libyan executive institutions.

  • The exit of foreign forces and foreign fighters.

  • Enabling the Libyan state to regain its full sovereignty.

  • Emphasizing the necessity of holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously to ensure the unification of the Libyan will and turn the page on division, within a comprehensive political process sponsored by the United Nations.

Egyptian-Turkish Relations towards Broader Horizons

Regarding the relationship between Cairo and Ankara, Abdel Aty confirmed that Egyptian-Turkish relations "are witnessing tangible development at various levels." He attributed this development to the "joint political will to push bilateral cooperation towards broader horizons, and enhance consultation and coordination paths to serve mutual interests and promote security and stability in the region."