
Egypt's representative at the UNSC session on Tuesday
Ambassador Abdelkhalek made these remarks during his speech at the UN Security Council (UNSC) session, "The Situation in the Middle East," where he expressed Egypt's firm rejection of Israel's practices, which constitute a crime under international law.
He described the current situation as "a highly dangerous phase" due to the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, a war that has extended to Lebanon and several countries in the region, posing a grave threat to international peace and security.
In addition, Abdelkhalek affirmed that Egypt has clearly expressed severe condemnation of Israel's war on Gaza and the systematic killing of civilians since the beginning of the conflict.
Egypt, Abdelkhalek added, has vociferously condemned Israel for destroying the strip and unjustifiably impeding access to humanitarian aid.
"Egypt calls for holding accountable anyone who commits crimes against the Palestinian people and the UN staff," the Egyptian representative affirmed.
Egypt's mediation and aid efforts
Ambassador Abdelkhalek outlined Egypt's regional responsibilities and moral and humanitarian duties. He also highlighted its ongoing mediation efforts alongside Qatar and the US to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of captives and detainees in Gaza.
Furthermore, Abdelkhalek noted that Egypt had to circumvent enormous obstacles before ensuring that the Palestinians in Gaza had access to aid through the Rafah border crossing, which was ultimately closed after the Israeli army occupied the Palestinian side of the crossing.
"Regrettably, all these intensive efforts proved futile as the war has not ended. On the contrary, Israel has escalated its aggression by imposing an inhumane siege on the northern parts of the strip."
He said the siege was characterised by widespread starvation and targeting civilian infrastructure, especially hospitals and schools, describing these actions as "horrors reminiscent of the Dark Ages."
Call for UNSC action
Abdelkhalek condemned Israel's aggression in Gaza, describing it as a "stain of shame" that demands immediate action.
He stressed that the current escalation necessitates urgent intervention by the UNSC to stop the fighting and prevent the opening of new war fronts in the region.
In addition, Abdelkhalek called for an end to the war, asserting the sanctity of all human lives and urging the UNSC to move beyond unfulfilled promises, stalled investigations, and unimplemented resolutions.
He also urged the UNSC to adopt a resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, stressing the urgent need to open all crossings to facilitate the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"Humanitarian and UN agencies, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which plays an irreplaceable role, must be enabled to carry out their relief and humanitarian duties," Abdelkhalek emphasised.
Moreover, he affirmed the need to implement the UNSC and General Assembly resolutions to prevent displacement or any demographic or geographic changes in the Gaza Strip.
He also called for "halting arms and ammunition exports to Israel to stop the war machine."
In addition, Abdelkhalek proposed facilitating the Palestinian Authority's assumption of governance in Gaza to initiate early recovery and reconstruction projects in collaboration with the UN and the international community.
Addressing the crisis in Lebanon, Abdelkhalek called for an end to the Israeli war on Lebanon, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanese territories, and the full implementation of the UNSC Resolution 1701.
Path to Just Peace
In conclusion, Ambassador Abdelkhalek called for resuming the peace process to end the Israeli occupation and implement the two-state solution.
He urged the international community to reject unilateral Israeli actions, including attempts to annex Palestinian territories.
"The only viable solution is just peace and restoring rights to their rightful owners."
This UNSC session is held amidst rising tensions in the region as the continuing Israeli aggression on both Gaza and Lebanon, marked by widespread civilian casualties and the destruction of critical infrastructure, threatens to spread the conflict to other parts of the region.
It also comes at a time of renewed international calls for a ceasefire.
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