Egypt urges quick UN backing for Gaza stabilisation force, says foreign minister - as-salamu alaykum
As-salamu alaykum. Egypt is pressing the UN Security Council to approve a peacekeeping-style stabilisation force for Gaza as soon as possible, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said in an interview in Aswan.
He outlined the idea behind an International Stabilisation Force and a Board of Peace whose main job would be to monitor aid funds. Abdelatty stressed that it would not be acceptable for foreigners to run Gaza; the goal is to help Palestinians manage their own affairs with outside support.
“We need a Security Council resolution as soon as possible to give legitimacy to this ISF and to define its mandate,” he said, adding that Egypt is ready to take part in the mission within clear parameters set by the Council. Sources say Egypt is expected to lead a multinational stabilisation force made up of contingents from several countries, numbering at least a few thousand troops. The plan foresees light weapons and armoured vehicles only, with deployment to areas vacated under the first phase of the ceasefire plan.
Abdelatty emphasised the mission should be peacekeeping, not peace-enforcing. The force and the Board of Peace - which would include international figures tasked with coordinating aid and reconstruction - should also help restore basic services and support local police through training and capacity building.
He said the Board’s role would include liaising with Israel and watching over where donor funds are spent, since donors have a right to a monitoring mechanism for humanitarian aid and reconstruction money.
While the first phase of the ceasefire deal has largely been implemented, the situation remains fragile and attention is turning to a more complex second phase - dealing with dismantling armed groups, full Israeli withdrawal, and Gaza’s future governance. Recent incidents have raised fears the truce could break down; both sides have accused the other of violations and there have been deadly strikes.
Egypt, together with other regional and international partners, has been a key mediator throughout the conflict. Abdelatty said continued engagement with the United States is important for implementing the peace plan and ensuring all parties meet their commitments.
A conference on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, to be hosted by Egypt in November and co-chaired with other partners, was described as an important step to create facts on the ground that make a return to full-scale war harder.
On related regional issues, Abdelatty expressed confidence in Lebanon’s leadership to pursue disarmament of non-state actors and called for ending Israeli occupation of positions in southern Lebanon. He also noted Egypt’s involvement in efforts to resolve the war in Sudan, supporting a roadmap that begins with humanitarian pauses and an inclusive political process under Sudanese ownership.
Abdelatty concluded that the second phase of the Gaza negotiations will be difficult but necessary, and Egypt will push to start and make those talks successful. May Allah grant peace and protection to the innocent and guide leaders to just and lasting solutions.
https://www.thenationalnews.co