Egypt urges Trump to turn Gaza tragedy into 'opportunity for reconciliation, recovery'

By Raşa Evrensel and Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – Egypt’s foreign minister urged US President Donald Trump on Friday to play a decisive role in achieving peace in the Middle East and turning “Gaza tragedy into opportunity for reconciliation and recovery.”

“We stand today at a pivotal crossroad in the war in Gaza. The war could either end or linger for an unspecified duration, leading to more catastrophic consequences,” Badr Abdelatty said in an op-ed in the US magazine Washington Examiner.

The top diplomat said a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar “can save the region from further bloodshed and pave the way for healing.”

Abdelatty stressed that the proposal would ensure both the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to Palestinians and the return of Israeli captives.

He called the proposal “a critical opening that can shift the trajectory of the conflict, from an endless cycle of violence to a pathway for de-escalation and healing.”

“Hamas has accepted the proposal. The ball is now in Israel’s court. Its decision will either put the conflict on a path to closure or a path of continued conflict,” he added.

“President Donald Trump has played a defining role in advancing peace efforts across the world, in Europe between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and in Africa between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said the minister.

He said Trump’s efforts “to end the war in Ukraine are also pivotal to securing peace in Europe. But importantly, he was instrumental in achieving the initial Jan. 19 ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.”

“Achieving peace in the Middle East would stand as the crown jewel of these endeavors, reflecting his advocacy for peace and lasting solutions in turbulent regions,” the Egyptian minister said.

“Today, that same spirit is urgently needed to turn the tragedy in Gaza into an opportunity for reconciliation and recovery.”

Abdelatty underlined the urgency of providing humanitarian aid while securing a cease-fire, pointing to the UN’s assessment of a “man-made famine” in Gaza.

“Thousands of trucks were lined up at the border with life-saving humanitarian supplies. And while the Rafah crossing from the Egyptian side has always remained open, Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian side of the crossing has obstructed the flow of assistance.”

In May 2024, Israeli forces seized the Palestinian side of Rafah crossing, halting both aid deliveries and the evacuation of patients for treatment abroad, worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

The ongoing genocide in Gaza entered its 700th day on Friday, with Israel having killed at least 64,300 Palestinians. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.