Egypt’s FM warns of collapse of humanitarian system in Gaza

CAIRO – 17 February 2024: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry warned of the dangers of the collapse of the humanitarian system in the Gaza Strip, saying that the international community is responsible for facilitating the implementation of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in a complete, safe and sustainable manner.

In a panel session titled “Towards Stability and Peace in the Middle East: De-escalation Challenge” on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Shoukry denounced the inability of the international community to stop the inhumane war waged by Israel against the residents of the Gaza Strip, in complete disregard and flagrant violation of all provisions of international humanitarian law.

“The Israeli practices of creating an uninhabited strip for life in Gaza and attempts to implement forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands, or liquidate the Palestinian cause all directly threaten the foundations of stability in the region,” Shoukry added.

Shoukry also warned of the grave consequences of any military operations in the city of Rafah, where about 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering. He noted that the scenario of forced displacement of Palestinians to Egypt’s Sinai would affect Egyptian national security, and lead to irreparable damage to peace and security in the Middle East.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister also addressed the current challenges facing the region as a result of increasing tensions because of the Israeli war against Gaza, including in Lebanon and Iraq, and threats to navigation security in the Red Sea.

He said that reducing the crisis in Gaza and establishing a ceasefire is a must, calling for enforcing the truce and exchanging detainees as soon as possible, and preventing the expansion of the cycle of violence and conflict to other parts of the region.

Shourky said that the comprehensive peace will only be achieved through implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.