Monday, 25 May 2026
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty
Egyptian FM decries attacks on embassies, calls allegations of Gaza blockade ‘politically motivated’
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty has strongly condemned recent attacks on Egyptian embassies abroad, calling them politically motivated acts based on "misleading claims" that Egypt is complicit in besieging Gaza.
Writing in Egypt’s leading daily, Al-Ahram, Abdel Aaty described the attacks as "not mere protests, but assaults on national sovereignty," stressing that such actions ultimately serve the interests of the Israeli occupation, not the Palestinian people.
"While the world has watched, horrified, an unprecedented assault on civilians in Gaza since October 2023, it was alarming to see baseless accusations circulating internationally—alleging that Egypt is blocking critical humanitarian aid to Gaza," Abdel Aaty wrote. "These claims not only lack any grounding in reality, but they also serve dubious political motives aiming to mislead both Arab and international audiences."
The foreign minister emphasized Egypt’s key humanitarian role. "Egypt has kept the Rafah border crossing open despite the ongoing violence, facilitating the entry of thousands of trucks carrying aid, as well as the evacuation and treatment of wounded Palestinians," Abdel Aaty explained. He noted that over 70% of all humanitarian aid reaching Gaza has passed through Egypt.
He pointed out that, in contrast, Israel’s military occupation has repeatedly bombed and closed the Palestinian side of the border, severely hindering aid deliveries. "Despite Egypt’s readiness, Israeli control and bombardment of the Palestinian side have blocked and delayed many convoys," he said.
Abdel Aaty reiterated Egypt’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, highlighting its collaboration with Qatar and the United States. "We play a crucial mediating role to secure a comprehensive ceasefire, humanitarian access, and the release of captives," he said, "bearing a historic responsibility towards the Palestinian cause."
He announced that Egypt recently hosted a major international conference on humanitarian support for Gaza and is preparing to lead broader efforts for its recovery and reconstruction, pending a cessation of hostilities.
"Redirecting anger about the crisis in Gaza towards Egypt is a distortion of facts and an affront to our long-standing support for the Palestinian people," Abdel Aaty asserted. He lamented that such misinformation only diverts international pressure from those responsible for the violence in Gaza and undermines a united response.
The Foreign Minister called on all parties to recognize Egypt’s efforts and to reject actions that weaken solidarity with Palestine, reaffirming, "Egypt has always stood firmly against the displacement of Palestinians and remains committed to a just solution based on international law."
In closing, Abdel Aaty emphasized national unity and the resilience of Egypt’s internal front in the face of external pressures and misinformation: "Egypt’s steadfast support for Palestine is unwavering; our response to these challenges draws strength not only from the state’s institutions, but from the unity and awareness of the Egyptian people."