Egypt working to receive newborns from Gaza: FM to UNRWA chief

CAIRO – 17 November 2023: Egypt is taking logistical procedures to receive the newborns from Gaza as per the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UNRWA on Thursday.

In a phone call, Shoukry affirmed to Lazzarini Egypt’s commitment to alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people and coordinating with international parties and organizations to ensure full access to aid.

Egypt’s top diplomat called for all international parties to shoulder their responsibility in urging Israeli to halt its violations and aggression against civilians and civilian facilities, especially hospitals.

Shoukry affirmed that such practices, including destroying Gaza’s infrastructure, blatantly breach international law and international humanitarian law and violate all human values and norms.

During the call, Shoukry inquired about Lazzarini’s assessment of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and efforts made by the UNRWA to have new headquarters in order to resume its duties.

For his part, Lazzarini expressed deep concerns about the worsening humanitarian disaster and the growing challenges hindering relief agencies and medical centers and cadres from performing their tasks.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors, immediate release of child hostages.

The resolution also calls for refraining from obstructing humanitarian aid as the war in Gaza, which has erupted on October 7, has killed and injured tens of thousands of Palestinians, the majority of which are women and children.

“This situation must stop now,” said Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba in remarks after the resolution.

“The situation in Gaza is horrific and children have suffered from death, injury, and denial of humanitarian assistance and access; abducted children are also held in Gaza, while hospitals and schools are being destroyed. These are all grave violations in the children and armed conflict agenda,” Gamba added.