AFP – Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty warned on Sunday of the risk of an all-out regional war as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensified, saying the escalation “negatively impacted” Gaza truce talks.
The minister spoke ahead of an annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations (UN), with a chorus of international powers calling on Israel and Hezbollah to step back from the brink.
“There is great concern about… the possibility of an escalation in the region leading to an all-out regional war,” he told AFP at UN headquarters, adding that the latest spike in violence “negatively impacted” ceasefire negotiations.
“But Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States (US), has complete determination and commitment to continue” efforts to broker a truce agreement, he said.
Qatar, Egypt and the US have for months tried to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, which diplomats repeatedly said would help calm regional tensions.
“All the components of the deal are ready,” Abdelatty said. “The problem is the lack of political will on the Israeli side,” he added.
Abdelatty also blamed Israel’s “provocative policies” for the intensified fighting with Hezbollah.
“We are talking to our regional and international partners, including the US, about the importance of working to stop the escalation and stop the unilateral and provocative policies that Israel is carrying out,” he said.
A regional conflagration “does not serve the interests of any party,” the top diplomat added.
Abdelatty spoke following meetings in Washington with US officials this week, including White House advisor Amos Hochstein, who is leading efforts to secure a truce between Lebanon and Israel.
