Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry emphasized on Sunday the necessity for international parties to assume their responsibilities in supporting efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza. According to Ahmed Abu Zeid, spokesperson and Director of Public Diplomacy at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shoukry discussed the situation in Gaza and the necessary international efforts to stop the war and contain its repercussions during a phone call with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Cravinho.
The discussions, which focused extensively on the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, concluded with both ministers agreeing on the full and immediate implementation of the latest United Nations Security Council resolution. This resolution includes establishing a UN-sponsored mechanism to expedite and monitor the enforcement of humanitarian aid to the sector, adequately meeting the urgent needs of the Palestinian people.
Shoukry stressed to his Portuguese counterpart the need for international parties to support achieving a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. This, he asserted, is the best way to effectively implement the Security Council resolution, preserve Palestinian civilian lives, and reject and stop Israeli violations represented in policies of collective punishment against Palestinians, including targeting, siege, forced displacement, and complete destruction of the basic service infrastructure in the sector.
Moreover, the discussions touched upon the situation in the occupied West Bank, including the increasing violence and violations by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their properties. Shoukry warned of the security and political implications of entering a new cycle of violence in the West Bank and called for international measures to stop settler violence and hold them accountable, as well as to cease all illegal settlement activities.
The two ministers agreed to continue consultations regarding measures to contain the crisis in Gaza, limit its repercussions, and prevent the expansion of the conflict to other parts of the region.
The war on the Gaza Strip entered its 79th day, with Israeli forces continuing to bombard cities and provinces in the north and south of the sector amid a humanitarian and health disaster. The Gaza Health Ministry announced an
increase in casualties due to Israeli bombing since October 7, with 20,424 killed and 54,036 injured. The Government Media Office in Gaza confirmed that the Israeli army is misleading civilians, forcing them to flee to areas it then bombs and kills them in.
