Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Ati said on Monday that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza Strip is increasing amid Israeli’s escalation, which is targeting civilians and using starvation as a weapon.
During a press conference on the sidelines of the ministerial conference in Cairo for the humanitarian response in Gaza, Abdel-Ati stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza Strip requires mobilized international efforts for early recovery to return the displaced.
He pointed out that the conference focused on the requirements for early recovery in the Gaza Strip to be viable.
The minister appreciated the efforts of the United Nations, led by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and offered condolences to its employees who were killed while performing their duties.
Abdel-Ati called on the Israeli occupation to assume its responsibilities towards the access of humanitarian aid, and demanded its withdrawal from Rafah crossing on the Palestinian side, and withdrawal from the Salah al-Din axis, also known as the Philadelphi axis.
He also called on the participating countries and organizations to mobilize support to secure the required aid for Gaza Strip and work to recognize the Palestinian state and obtain Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations, stressing support for the Palestinian Authority in managing the West Bank.
Abdel-Ati reiterated Egypt’s rejection of the forced displacement of Palestinians, warning that forced displacement is a red line for Egypt and Jordan, and that it is unacceptable for the occupation authorities to force Palestinians to leave their homeland.
He further stressed the continuation of Egypt’s efforts to provide aid to Gaza and stop the bloodshed, explaining that there is an urgent need for political will from the other party to reach a ceasefire.
Cairo on Monday hosted the Cairo Ministerial Conference to enhance the humanitarian response in Gaza, with broad international participation.
