From Truce to Reconstruction: Egypt’s Leading Role and the International Community’s Responsibility Towards Gaza

The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms welcomes the visit of humanitarian envoy and international actress Angelina Jolie to the Rafah crossing. The Association considers this visit an important humanitarian step that reflects the growing international awareness of the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe facing civilians in the Gaza Strip and the resulting grave violations of fundamental rights, foremost among them the right to life, security, and human dignity.

The Association affirms that this visit represents an extension of international efforts that must be strengthened through increased high-level visits. This will contribute to accurately conveying the reality on the ground and support effective international pressure to solidify the truce, ensure a comprehensive ceasefire, and uphold the rules of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, particularly the principle of protecting civilians and not targeting them.

The Association emphasizes that the Arab Republic of Egypt has played a pivotal and strong role since the very beginning of the crisis. This role was manifested in opening the Rafah crossing, facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid, and managing the Egyptian side of the crossing efficiently and responsibly. Furthermore, Egypt has undertaken an active and responsible diplomatic role that contributed to containing the escalation and creating the political and humanitarian climate that led to the Reaching a ceasefire agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh, the City of Peace, reflects the Egyptian state’s unwavering commitment to protecting civilians, supporting regional stability, and respecting international law. In this context, the association affirms that Egypt continues to bear full responsibility for the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, in accordance with national sovereignty and legal and security regulations, ensuring the organized and safe flow of humanitarian aid without violating relevant international obligations. Conversely, the association emphasizes the necessity of exerting genuine and effective international pressure, particularly from the United States government, as an influential party and partner in the ceasefire agreement, to compel the Israeli side to fulfill its legal obligations. These obligations include respecting the truce, opening and securing safe humanitarian corridors within the Gaza Strip, and guaranteeing the unimpeded flow of vital aid, especially fuel, medicine, and food, ensuring its immediate and non-discriminatory delivery to civilians, in accordance with the rules of international humanitarian law. The association also stresses the urgent need to commence reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip and establish a comprehensive international framework for Gaza’s revitalization. This framework should be developed in coordination with the Arab Republic of Egypt and with the active participation of the United States government and other international partners, and should be based on the principles of sustainability and reparation. The association also emphasizes the importance of guaranteeing the economic, social, and cultural rights of the population, foremost among them the rights to housing, health, education, water, and electricity, in addition to supporting the psychological and social recovery of victims. Furthermore, the association stresses the importance of including the issue of legal compensation due for the scale of destruction and human and material losses inflicted on the Gaza Strip within any reconstruction framework. It also underscores the necessity of holding the Israeli side accountable under the rules of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including the principle of reparation and compensation for victims, as an inherent right of affected civilians and a fundamental pillar for achieving justice and preventing impunity. The association affirms that the reconstruction of Gaza cannot be separated from genuine political and legal guarantees that prevent a recurrence of aggression and ensure respect for the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the right to life, security, and development. In conclusion, the National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms reiterates its appeal to the international community, the United Nations, the Arab Republic of Egypt as a pivotal partner and leader in humanitarian and political efforts, and the government of the United States of America as an influential party, urging them to pressure the Israeli side to solidify the ceasefire, ensure the flow of aid through safe humanitarian corridors, and establish a comprehensive international framework for the reconstruction of Gaza and its revitalization. Hope and dignity for millions of besieged civilians