Egypt’s Foreign Minister Samah Shoukry received on Tuesday a delegation from Fatah Movement, headed by Deputy Chairman Mahmoud Aloul. The meeting discussed the humanitarian and security situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza Strip,the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The talks also addressed the necessary measures to halt the Israeli aggression against Gaza, as well as the escalation of Israeli violations and settler violence against Palestinians and their properties in the West Bank, in violation of international law and humanitarian law.
Minister Shoukry stressed the urgent need to put an end to the humanitarian catastrophe faced by Palestinians in Gaza, halt Israeli violations, and end collective punishment practices against Palestinians, including indiscriminate targeting, siege, hunger, and complete destruction of infrastructure. He underscored the importance of the immediate implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728 and building upon it to achieve a permanent ceasefire beyond Ramadan.
The Egyptian top diplomat highlighted the legal and humanitarian responsibility of international community to ensure full and sustainable delivery of aid to Gaza, warning against the humanitarian risks posed by deliberate attempts to target the work of UNRWA. He emphasised the importance of refraining from politicising the agency’s work, resuming its funding, and enabling it to carry out its vital services across all areas of the Gaza Strip, including in northern Gaza.
Furthermore, Minister Shoukry listened to a detailed explanation from the Palestinian delegation about the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, the unprecedented Israeli restrictions and assaults against Palestinians in Jerusalem and worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, indicating that there is a potential escalation of the situation beyond control in all occupied Palestinian territories.
The delegation expressed gratitude of the Palestinian leadership and people for Egypt’s honorable stance in supporting the Palestinian cause, resolving the Gaza crisis, and working towards a complete ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.
Minister Shoukry reiterated Egypt’s steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause, providing all necessary support to the Palestinian brothers and their legitimate rights, condemning the continued expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, including the recent approval of seizing 8,000 dunams in the occupied West Bank. Egypt also rejects all attempts and plans to displace Palestinians from their lands to liquidate the Palestinian cause and undermine the foundations of future peace and peaceful coexistence in the region.
He also emphasised Egypt’s continued efforts to intensify contacts with external parties to underline the importance of resolving this crisis at its roots, ending the long-term Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, through a two-state solution based on internationally recognised legitimacy. He stressed the need for international action towards recognising the Palestinian state and granting it full membership within the United Nations.
