Ashraf AboArafe
On Sunday, September 21, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Expatriates’ Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, met with Ms. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in New York.
Minister Abdelatty reviewed Egypt’s tireless efforts to halt the war in Gaza and highlighted the country’s prominent humanitarian role, providing 70% of all aid delivered to the enclave. He praised the Egyptian Red Crescent’s pivotal partnership with the ICRC, as well as the ICRC mission in Cairo and its continued cooperation with Egyptian authorities in responding to humanitarian crises in both Gaza and Sudan.
The Foreign Minister also commended the ICRC’s work in helping states strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law—particularly vital amid the erosion of respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention, spearheaded by Israel. He underscored the urgent need for collective and decisive action to defend humanitarian principles, which Israel continues to undermine through reckless policies in the region.
Abdelatty welcomed the principled positions of the ICRC President, who has rejected Israel’s military operations in Gaza, the killing of civilians, starvation tactics, and attacks on medical teams and humanitarian workers. He warned of the grave repercussions of these operations, including the threat of forced displacement, which Egypt firmly opposes under any pretext. He reaffirmed the necessity of pressing Israel to respect its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law, to enable the unhindered flow of aid, and to secure a lasting ceasefire.
The talks also covered preparations for the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum, as well as Egypt’s plans to host the International Conference on Early Recovery and Reconstruction in Gaza, once a ceasefire is achieved. The Minister expressed Egypt’s eagerness for active ICRC participation in both events.
