Cairo: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephonic conversation to discuss the latest developments regarding the Gaza ceasefire and expressed their rejection of establishing 'parallel entities' in Sudan.
According to Anadolu Agency, Abdelatty reviewed Egypt's ongoing efforts to solidify the Gaza ceasefire agreement and fully implement its provisions, as stated by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. He emphasized the necessity of transitioning to the second phase of the plan, which encompasses political, developmental, and humanitarian aspects to ensure lasting peace and regional stability.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar under the supervision of the US, commenced on October 10, following a two-year Israeli conflict in Gaza. Israel has conditioned the commencement of negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire on the handover of all hostage remains. Hamas has indicated that the process requires time due to the extensive destruction in Gaza.
The Egyptian diplomat also highlighted preparations for an international conference in Cairo aimed at reconstructing Gaza. He underscored the importance of mobilizing global support to rebuild the territory and alleviate humanitarian suffering. Egypt is working to implement a five-year reconstruction plan endorsed by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), estimated at $53 billion, while the UN estimates Gaza's recovery costs at $70 billion.
Israel's attacks in Gaza since October 2023 have resulted in the deaths of nearly 69,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 170,600 others.
Regarding Sudan, the ministers stressed the importance of maintaining Sudanese state institutions and rejected any parallel entities. Abdelatty called for coordinated regional and international efforts to secure a comprehensive humanitarian truce and open safe corridors for aid delivery to affected areas. He condemned severe violations committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation.
On October 26, the RSF seized control of El-Fasher, committing massacres of civilians, according to local and international organizations, amid warnings that the assault could lead to the country's geographical partition. On Thursday, the RSF announced its agreement to a humanitarian truce in Sudan proposed by the Quad countries - the US, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt - although details of the ceasefire's implementation remain undisclosed, and there has been no immediate reaction from the Quad or the Sudanese army.
Since April 15, 2023, the Sudanese army and the RSF have been engaged in a conflict that regional and international mediation efforts have failed to resolve, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.