Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty affirmed any attempts to undermine the mandate of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) under any pretext or false justification are completely "unacceptable." He stressed Egypt's firm support for the UN agency. Abdelatty's remarks came at a joint press conference held on Saturday with Commissioner-General of UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini.According to State Information Service Egypt, the foreign minister expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to the commissioner-general for his tireless and ongoing efforts in supporting the Palestinian people, especially under the extremely complex conditions currently prevailing - describing the situation as a full-fledged famine caused by the Israeli occupation. Abdelatty also extended his thanks and appreciation to all humanitarian relief workers who continue to provide services to Palestinians and remain committed to performing their duties.He further expressed gratitude to t he volunteers-around 35,000 young Egyptians-from the Egyptian Red Crescent, praising their dedication and humanitarian commitment. He emphasized Egypt has kept the Rafah crossing open around-the-clock, although the terminal is effectively closed from the Palestinian side due to Israeli-imposed restrictions that hinder the entry and flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, stated that UNRWA plays a vital role that cannot be replaced and warned against attempts to dismantle the agency under false pretenses. In a press conference with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Abdelatty criticized efforts to undermine the agency's mandate, calling such moves a direct threat to the rights of Palestinian refugees, particularly the right of return.He noted that alternative mechanisms proposed by some parties have failed to meet humanitarian needs in Gaza and lack public acceptance. Abdelatty said Egypt continues to support UNRWA in the face of financial and political pressure, and is engaging donor countries to ensure the agency's sustainability. He also criticized the selective approach of some international actors toward humanitarian crises, warning that double standards erode trust in international justice.The top diplomat also reaffirmed Egypt's active role in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, working closely with Qatar and the United States. However, he blamed Israeli obstruction and unrealistic conditions for blocking progress and worsening the humanitarian crisis. Additionally, he called on the international community to act immediately to stop the suffering of the Palestinian people.Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty, affirmed that Egypt continues to keep the Rafah crossing open around the clock, despite Israeli-imposed closures on the Palestinian side, in an effort to allow aid into Gaza. In a joint press conference with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Abdelatty stated that Egypt has facilitated the delivery of nearly 70% of all humanitarian aid extended to the Gaza Strip so far, despite heavy Israeli restrictions.More than 6,000 trucks are waiting on the Egyptian side, while Israel prevents their entry under the watch of an inactive international community. He held Israel fully responsible, as the occupying power, for obstructing aid access, stressing that at least 700 aid trucks are needed daily to address the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. He described the famine in Gaza as man-made and worsening by the day.Abdelatty rejected Israeli expansionist policies, including repeated military assaults and the use of hunger as a weapon. He warned that such practices violate international law and undermine efforts to reach a ceasefire. He said a ceasefire proposal based on a plan put forward by US envoy Steve Wittkoff is on the table and urged Israel to accept it to stop the bloodshed and open the way for a full end to the war and hostage release.Abdelatty also discussed Egypt's plan to host an early r ecovery and reconstruction conference for Gaza once a ceasefire is reached. He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian state. He reiterated Egypt's categorical rejection of any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians and affirmed the country's refusal to take part in efforts that would undermine the Palestinian cause.For his part, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing the crisis as a man-made famine. He also thanked the Egyptian government for its continued support and called on Arab states to increase financial backing for the agency, which is struggling to maintain operations.In a press conference with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Lazzarini reiterated that the suffering in Gaza has crossed all red lines, adding that humanitarian workers themselves are starving and collapsing from exhaustion. 'We warned about this famine months ago, but no one listened,' he said. 'We can't solve the problem while those searching for food are bombed or dying silently.'Lazzarini said aid workers are starving, fainting, and struggling to function. Over 360 humanitarian staff have died in the conflict, and 250 journalists have been killed trying to report on conditions. Additionally, the UN diplomat blamed ongoing Israeli airstrikes and restrictions at Gaza's border crossings for blocking urgently needed.He said that while humanitarian aid is available in Egypt and Jordan, Israeli restrictions have made it nearly impossible to deliver them into Gaza. 'We have implemented austerity, but I'm not confident we can continue until December,' Lazzarini said. He said discussions with Egyptian officials tackled rebuilding Gaza, expressing hope for reaching a ceasefire soon.