Nickolay Mladenov, “high representative for Gaza” of the US-led “Board of Peace,” and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed the implementation of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan in Cairo on Wednesday.
“An early morning start today in Cairo with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reviewing the next steps in the implementation of Phase two of the Gaza peace plan,” Mladenov said in a press statement by his office.
“Egypt remains a critical partner as we work together towards a Gaza that is reconstructed and secured by the transitional Palestinian administration, free of weapons and tunnels, and reunified with the reformed and legitimate Palestinian Authority,” said the statement.
Abdelatty stressed the need to keep the Rafah crossing open in both directions and ensure the steady flow of humanitarian, relief, and medical aid to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians.
He described the second-phase arrangements as temporary, noting that activating the national committee on the ground would improve its ability to handle daily affairs and enable the Palestinian Authority to fully resume its responsibilities.
He also called for the rapid deployment of an international stabilization force to supervise the ceasefire and highlighted Egypt’s efforts to train Palestinian police to create the security conditions needed during the transition.
The minister stressed that all parties must fully implement second-phase commitments, including Israeli withdrawals, to facilitate early recovery efforts in Gaza and support coordinated rebuilding.
The talks also addressed the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, where Abdelatty condemned increasing settler violence, ongoing annexation and settlement expansion contrary to international law, the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a law permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners, and the persistent closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, warning that these developments could further escalate tensions.
In January, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye announced the creation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to oversee the Gaza Strip during the transitional phase.
However, the committee members who are currently in Egypt have not entered the strip.
A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has been in effect since October 10, 2025.
The United States announced in mid-January the start of the second phase of its proposed peace plan, which includes a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, disarmament of Hamas, initiation of reconstruction efforts, and the formation of a transitional governing body in the Gaza Strip.
(With input from Xinhua)
