CAIRO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed on Wednesday that the current regional escalation must not divert attention from the need to complete all requirements of the second phase of the Gaza peace plan.
Abdelatty made the remarks during separate phone calls with Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, and the U.S.-led Board of Peace's High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov, according to a statement by Egypt's Foreign Ministry.
"The conversations discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian cause and the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank," the statement said.
Abdelatty said the second phase of the Gaza peace plan should include "the deployment of an international stabilization force, ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and initiating early recovery and reconstruction programs."
The Egyptian foreign minister also warned of "the dangerous developments in the West Bank, amidst ongoing Israeli violations and escalating military operations," as well as repeated Israeli incursions into Palestinian cities and camps, the expansion of settlement activities, and attacks by settlers on holy religious sites.
"These actions contribute to escalating tensions and undermine the chances of de-escalation and the resumption of the political process," the statement said.
The Gaza peace plan is a U.S.-sponsored agreement between Israel and Hamas aimed at ending the war in Gaza.
Under the first phase of the plan, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October 2025 through the mediation of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.
Despite the ceasefire, at least 786 Palestinians have been killed and 2,217 wounded in the enclave since Oct. 11, according to an update released by Gaza's health authorities on Wednesday.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed 72,562 Palestinians and injured 172,320 others, the authorities said. ■
