Egypt condemns Israeli Finance Minister’s remarks on starving 2 million Palestinians in Gaza

CAIRO – 8 August 2024: Egypt condemned the remarks made by Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, who claimed there is a moral justification for starving Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Egypt denounced these disgraceful statements as unacceptable both in form and substance, the statement said, adding that these remarks constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which require Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure the safety and basic living conditions of the Palestinian people under its occupation.

Egypt also deemed these irresponsible statements as unacceptable incitement against the residents of Gaza and a continuation of evasion regarding the interim measures mandated by the International Court of Justice.

Egypt reminded the international community that the principles of international humanitarian law have been developed over decades to combat and prevent practices that undermine human dignity. It called for a robust international effort to end the suffering of civilians in Gaza while upholding the minimum legal and moral standards in conflict situations.

 Israeli newspaper “Haaretz” reported on Wednesday that Israeli far-right Finance Minister Smotrich proposed starving 2 million Palestinians in Gaza until all Israeli hostages are released.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich's statement on starving Palestinians is an explicit admission of adopting genocide, calling on the International Criminal Court issue an arrest warrant and bring the extremist Minister Smotrich before justice.