Dr. Ahmed Ehab Gamal El-Din, Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, has declared the situation in Gaza as a significant humanitarian, human rights, and public health crisis, describing it as a stain on our collective humanity. This statement was made on behalf of 128 countries concerning the condition of women and girls in the occupied Palestinian territories, during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.
He emphasized the urgent need for international institutions to intervene, highlighting the importance of addressing the needs of every woman and girl globally. He stressed the necessity of holding those responsible for these crimes accountable and called for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to gather evidence to aid in conducting an independent, fair, prompt, comprehensive, and effective investigation to bring all perpetrators to justice. He urged all UN agencies to cooperate with this investigation to halt this catastrophe immediately.
Gamal El-Din expressed solidarity with the women and girls in Palestine in their current struggle for their lives and futures. He noted the fear, exhaustion, and emotional toll experienced by women in Gaza and regretted that women are among the first victims of violence in conflicts. According to UN agencies, more than a million women and girls in Gaza have been displaced multiple times, with women and children making up about 70% of the casualties. Palestinian women are fighting not only to survive the bombings by Israeli forces but also face unique struggles in caring for their personal health, adding another layer of suffering.
Moreover, there’s been a sharp increase in malnutrition among girls, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, with all residents at risk of imminent famine. The statement also mentioned the Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures expressing alarm over human rights violations against Palestinian women and girls, highlighting reports of deliberate and extrajudicial killings of Palestinian women and children in their places of refuge or while fleeing, as well as horrific reports of sexual assaults and rape in detention centers.
The statement covered the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s warning that the principles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women are being challenged in Gaza. It called on Israel to allow the provision of medical teams, medicines, water, food, fuel, shelter, and clothing to all civilians, with a particular focus on the needs of women and girls.
