The Cairo Ministerial Conference to Enhance the Humanitarian Response in Gaza, held on Monday, is a critical step on the road to showcasing international solidarity with the Palestinian people, especially with the Gaza Strip suffering its worst humanitarian crisis Gaza, one induced by unrelenting Israeli aggressions against it.
Over a year since the Israeli assault began in October 2023, it has become evident that Gaza, now an open battlefield, urgently needs humanitarian support.
The people of Gaza live under devastating conditions, enduring a suffocating siege and Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon against hundreds of thousands of civilians.
This grim reality casts a shadow over Gaza’s future, which remains uncertain and increasingly bleak, further complicating the humanitarian crisis.
Participants in the Cairo Conference called for the expedited delivery of humanitarian aid to address the escalating needs of a population suffering from hunger and thirst.
Several participating countries pledged hundreds of millions of dollars to provide food and medical assistance, an important step towards alleviating suffering, though the implementation of these pledges depends on the international community’s ability to pressure Israel to improve conditions in Gaza.
Egypt remains at the forefront of nations supporting the Palestinian people, extending its assistance beyond humanitarian aid to include diplomatic efforts through its current initiatives in international forums.
From the outset of the Israeli aggression, Egypt has been among the first countries to send substantial aid to Gaza, host thousands of wounded Palestinians, and provide them with medical care.
Within this context, Egypt has worked to facilitate the entry of aid by land, air, and sea, while hosting several field hospitals to treat the injured. Despite these efforts, the situation in Gaza hinges on changes in international positions and sustained global pressure on Israel to open humanitarian corridors and allow the delivery of vital aid to civilians.
Since the onset of the Israeli attack on Gaza, numerous obstacles have been imposed on aid delivery, reflecting the occupation’s strategy to undermine humanitarian organisations, including UNRWA, which is a cornerstone in supporting Palestinian refugees.
Participants in the conference agreed that international pressure on Israel would be the only way to change the current reality and ensure the effective delivery of aid.
Humanitarian workers in Gaza face significant challenges, constantly threatened by Israeli forces, which disrupt relief efforts.
Theft and sabotage of humanitarian aid further complicate the delivery of supplies to those in need.
Under these circumstances, UNRWA exerts tremendous efforts to distribute aid, but the obstacles it faces remain a major barrier to providing the necessary relief to millions of besieged residents.
Amid this dire situation, Egypt stressed during the conference that Israel must bear full legal responsibility under international humanitarian law to open crossings and facilitate aid access.
Egypt reaffirmed its unwavering stance in supporting the Palestinians’ right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state on all territories occupied in 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Egypt also rejected Israeli attempts to undermine UNRWA’s role or marginalise the international community’s support for the Palestinian cause.
The Cairo Ministerial Conference served as a global outcry against the injustices faced by Palestinians in Gaza, reflecting sustained international efforts to assist them during these challenging times.
Despite immense obstacles, hope remains that the international community will shoulder its responsibility to pressure Israel to improve the humanitarian situation and ensure that aid reaches those in urgent need.
These efforts are not merely humanitarian, but are also an affirmation of the Palestinian people’s right to freedom, dignity, and a secure future in an independent state.
Mohamed Fahmy is the editor-in-chief of The Egyptian Gazette and Egyptian Mail newspapers
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