By Rania Abu Shamala
ISTANBUL (AA) – Egypt demanded the Netherlands provide full security protection for its embassy after protesters locked the gates of the mission in The Hague.
A Foreign Ministry statement on Tuesday said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty received a phone call from his Dutch counterpart, Caspar Veldkamp, during which he voiced his “deep dismay” over the incident.
He warned the Dutch authorities against any recurrence, saying that failure to prevent further violations could prompt reciprocal measures.
Veldkamp, for his part, regretted what he called an “isolated incident” outside the Egyptian Embassy, the statement said.
The Dutch diplomat pledged to intensify security measures around the embassy in line with their obligations as a host state.
He stressed the strong and longstanding relations between the Netherlands and Egypt, built on mutual respect and common interests, and pledged to further boost bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, and investment fields, according to the statement.
The Dutch foreign minister praised Egypt’s positive role in mediating ceasefire efforts, and facilitating aid deliveries into Gaza.
There was no immediate Dutch comment on the Egyptian statement.
Last month, a group of Egyptian protesters demonstrated outside the embassy, and locked its gates. The protest was part of a campaign blaming Cairo for the dire humanitarian conditions in the Israel-blockaded Gaza Strip.
Egyptian authorities have dismissed the accusations, stressing that the Rafah border crossing with Gaza is open on the Egyptian side of the border.
Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza for 18 years and, since March 2, has shut down all crossings, blocking the entry of humanitarian aid and worsening conditions for the territory’s 2.4 million population.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 263 people have died of starvation since October 2023 – when Israel started its relentless offensive – including 88 children.
Israel has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 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.