Egypt’s Efforts in Addressing the Gaza Crisis

Political Efforts

a. Egypt’s political leadership has repeatedly affirmed, through numerous communications, meetings, conferences, and press briefings, its firm rejection of Israeli plans to force or encourage Palestinians to leave their homeland, whether voluntarily or by coercion. Cairo has consistently declared that any displacement of Palestinians represents a red line.

b. Egypt hosted the Cairo Peace Summit on October 21, 2023 — the first major international conference on developments in Gaza — with wide Arab and international participation, sending a clear message to the world about Egypt’s unwavering stance on the crisis.

c. In March 2025, Egypt convened an Arab-Islamic Summit in Cairo, during which consensus was reached on the Egyptian plan for Gaza’s reconstruction.

d. Before the International Court of Justice, Egypt highlighted Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territories and signaled its intention to join the case filed by South Africa against Israel.

e. Since the outbreak of the crisis, Cairo has maintained constant communication with regional and international actors to mobilize global support for its vision: rejecting any forced displacement, holding Israel accountable as an occupying power, and empowering the Palestinian Authority to resume governance of Gaza after the war.

f. Egypt has intensified mediation among Palestinian factions to counter Israeli attempts to erase the Palestinian cause. In October 2024, Cairo hosted a meeting between Hamas and Fatah to promote national reconciliation and discuss postwar arrangements. An Egyptian proposal to establish a civil support committee for Gaza’s interim administration was also presented.

g. Egypt has emphasized the importance of postwar efforts to revive the political process between Palestinians and Israelis. Cairo maintains that only the two-state solution can bring lasting stability to the Middle East, warning that any settlement limited to Gaza’s future alone cannot lead to peace, as Palestinians have lost faith in a viable political solution.

Ceasefire Negotiations Between Israel and Hamas

h. Through coordination with Qatar and the United States, Egyptian mediation achieved a seven-day humanitarian pause in November 2023. During this truce, 80 Israeli and 22 foreign hostages were released, along with the return of three bodies. In exchange, Israel freed 240 Palestinian women and children and expanded access for humanitarian aid into Gaza.

i. Continued Egyptian diplomacy, working alongside mediators, led to a ceasefire agreement on January 19, 2025, divided into three 42-day phases. During the first phase, 33 Israeli hostages were freed in exchange for 1,924 Palestinian prisoners. Some 600 aid trucks entered Gaza daily, Israel began withdrawing from parts of the Strip, and the Rafah crossing reopened to allow 50 wounded Palestinians to exit each day. However, Israel’s unilateral military operation on March 18, 2025, derailed the subsequent stages and reignited hostilities.

j. In April 2025, mediators successfully convinced Hamas to unconditionally release American-Israeli hostage Alexander Edan — a goodwill gesture meant to demonstrate Hamas’s readiness to engage in a genuine ceasefire.

k. On August 15, 2025, mediators proposed a 60-day temporary truce including the release of 10 hostages and 18 bodies, expanded humanitarian aid under the January mechanism, and direct talks from day one toward a permanent ceasefire. The U.S. and mediators guaranteed the truce’s sustainability, with President Trump pledging to extend negotiations toward a comprehensive deal. However, the plan collapsed amid Israel’s restrictive conditions.

l. Egypt has continued its diplomatic efforts to restart negotiations after Israel’s attack on the Hamas delegation in Doha on September 9, 2025.

Humanitarian and Operational Efforts

m. Egypt has worked tirelessly to alleviate Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, coordinating with international relief organizations to channel aid through Al-Arish Airport in North Sinai — with Egypt contributing roughly 80% of all humanitarian assistance.

n. Since May 8, 2024, Cairo has intensified contacts with Israel after it took control of the Rafah crossing and expanded its presence along the Philadelphi Corridor. Egypt has pressed for increasing aid deliveries through Kerem Abu Salem, pushing for all Gaza crossings to reopen to raise daily truck entries (currently around 250).

o. On December 2, 2024, Egypt hosted a Humanitarian Conference on Gaza to coordinate aid and discuss arrangements for reconstruction.

p. Egypt has set up relief camps within Gaza — in Deir al-Balah, Rafah, and Khan Younis — to provide assistance and supplies to displaced Palestinians.

q. Cairo continues to pressure Israel to reopen crossings, lift the blockade, and remove all obstacles hindering the daily flow of humanitarian aid.

In summary, Egypt’s sustained political, diplomatic, and humanitarian engagement underscores its central role in mediating the Gaza conflict — balancing solidarity with the Palestinian people and the pursuit of regional stability through dialogue and reconstruction.

(Photo: Middle East News Agency in Europe)