Egypt Slams Israel and Global Silence Over Gaza Crisis at High-Stakes Cairo Conference
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Roshan Amiri - . December 3, 2024
- . Update: December 3, 2024 9:57 pm
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty delivered a scathing rebuke of “the Israeli occupation forces” during an international conference on Gaza held in Cairo on Monday, condemning Israel’s ongoing actions and the global community’s perceived apathy in addressing the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the besieged enclave.
The conference, titled “A Year of Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza: Urgent Needs and Sustainable Solutions,” was organized jointly by Egypt and the United Nations. Attended by around 100 ministerial delegations, prominent civil society representatives, and UN agencies, the event sought to galvanize international support for Palestinians enduring the devastating toll of what many describe as a genocidal war.
Egypt Calls for Immediate Action at Rafah Border
In his strongly worded address, Abdelatty urged Israel to withdraw immediately from the Palestinian-controlled side of the Rafah Border Crossing, Gaza’s sole exit to the outside world via Egypt’s North Sinai province. This move, he emphasized, is essential to facilitate the unhindered entry of humanitarian aid.
“The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a testament to the inability of the international community and the global legal system to enforce meaningful action,” Abdelatty said. He accused Israel of employing famine, blockades, and forced displacements as collective punishment against Palestinians, actions he said constitute serious violations of international and humanitarian law.
Abdelatty also criticized the limited scope of aid supplies permitted by Israel, asserting that they fall woefully short of addressing the vast needs of Gaza’s population. He highlighted the challenges aid workers face, including theft, vandalism, and lack of security, which complicate the equitable distribution of supplies to those in dire need.
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
As the conference unfolded, discussions centered on the worsening conditions in Gaza, where Israeli bombardments, epidemics, plummeting temperatures, and looming famine have claimed over 44,000 Palestinian lives since October 7 last year. Abdelatty noted that approximately 70% of the victims are women and children, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the violence.
Despite Cairo’s historical role as a mediator between Israelis and Palestinians and its longstanding peace treaty with Israel since the late 1970s, Abdelatty condemned the lack of accountability for Israel’s actions. He also reiterated Egypt’s commitment to supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), denouncing Israel’s recent ban on the agency as an “unacceptable disregard for international law.”
Calls for Accountability and Long-Term Reconstruction
The conference’s concluding statement emphasized the urgent need for an early strategy to reconstruct Gaza. This plan, it proposed, should be led by the Palestinian government with the support of international organizations and UN agencies. The statement also called for increased humanitarian aid and robust accountability measures to address the ongoing violations of human rights.
Abdelatty stressed that this approach is vital to alleviating the suffering of Palestinians and laying the groundwork for long-term stability. “The Palestinian people deserve justice, dignity, and peace. It is time for the international community to rise to this challenge and end their extreme suffering,” he stated.
US Absence Sparks Questions
Notably absent from the conference was the United States, Israel’s closest ally, raising questions about Washington’s stance amid growing international outcry over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Critics argue that the lack of U.S. representation reflects a reluctance to hold Israel accountable, further fueling tensions and undermining efforts to resolve the crisis.
The conference participants reaffirmed their solidarity with the Palestinian people and reiterated calls for immediate action to end the violence, address the humanitarian catastrophe, and chart a sustainable path forward. With no clear resolution in sight, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and halt the escalating tragedy in Gaza.
As the conference concluded, Abdelatty’s impassioned plea for justice echoed the growing frustration among nations advocating for peace and accountability. His message was clear: the world can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Palestinian people.
