Oct 20, 2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that he came to
Cairo on a peace mission amid very difficult timing that the region has not
seen in decades.
During a joint press conference with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Guterres said that civilians, women, children, and relief workers are the first and most to be the victims of such disaster.
He also emphasized that international law must be respected. “Any attack on
any health, educational or United Nations facility is a blatant attack on
international law.”
Guterres called on Hamas to release the hostages and called on Israel to
allow the entry of humanitarian aid. Stressing: “I think both calls are very
important.”
The UN chief also called for a ceasefire on the basis of providing
humanitarian relief and delivering aid, water, food and medicine to the Strip.
He affirmed that “diseases are spreading in Gaza and people are suffering
and dying. Civilians in Gaza need quick and urgent medical aid.”
“This is cannot be just a one-time aid delivery; it must be a continuing
operation. We have to make sure that aid enters safely. I am in Egypt to ensure
this.” Guterres said.
He added that: “The Gaza crossing and Al-Arish airport are the only two
channels enter humanitarian aid into Gaza. Egypt proves to us again and again
that it is the only country capable of defusing violence.”
Guterres noted that: “the longer the war lasts, the greater the human
losses.” Explaining that “A ceasefire is an integral part of delivering
humanitarian aid.”
In his speech, the UN Secretary General said that the world must reach a
permanent and urgent solution to the Palestinian cause. Adding: “this will not
happen without declaring an independent Palestinian state side by side with
Israel.”
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stressed that the possibility of
liquidating the Palestinian cause through the forced displacement of the
Palestinian people to other neighboring countries is ‘unthinkable’ and ‘cannot
happen’.
During the joint press conference with Guterres, Shoukry said that they
discussed the continuing escalations in Gaza and its devastating impact on the
Palestinian people.
Shoukry praised the United Nations' call for a ceasefire amid the
escalation of the crisis and the fall of thousands of innocent Palestinian
victims.
He noted that President Sisi called for the Cairo Summit for Peace, during
which “we will work to reach an international solution in line with
humanitarian principles to stop the escalation in Gaza.”
Shoukry added: “I completely agree with the UN Secretary-General that
targeting humanitarian and UN headquarters is a flagrant violation of
humanitarian law and must stop immediately.”
The FM also stressed on Egypt's keenness that Gaza crossing must operate
immediately.
“We are seeking to make the crossing operating again in order to enter the
aid to Gaza, despite the continuous bombing by the Israeli side.”
Shoukry affirmed that Egypt has always warned against the continuing
escalations against Palestinians and lack of regard for international
legitimacy.
“We see no alternative solution but for the parties to return to the
negotiating table to agree on a two-state solution. We appeal to everyone to
listen to the voice of reason and wisdom and stop the escalation in the Gaza
Strip.” Shoukry said.
He expressed Egypt’s appreciation to the efforts of the UN
Secretary-General and his keenness to be present in person to supervise the
crossing of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Cairo on
Thursday to hold talks with the political leadership.
A Palestinian official told media in Gaza that Guterres plans a visit to
the Rafah border crossing to announce the UN plan to send humanitarian aid to
the strip.
Egypt media center