KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 — Egypt welcomes the establishment of a United Nations (UN) mechanism for accelerating the provision of humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza, to address the dire situation in the besieged enclave.
This includes the appointment of a senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator tasked with facilitating, coordinating, monitoring and verifying the humanitarian nature of relief consignments.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said the country acknowledged the significance of the Security Council resolution adopted on December 22, 2023, as a positive step towards easing the human suffering faced by Palestinian civilians.
However, Egypt emphasised that the resolution fell short by not including an immediate ceasefire, which it deemed crucial to putting an end to the bloodshed in Gaza.
It said the Security Council’s resolution aligns with the recent Arab-Islamic Summit resolution, which called for breaking the siege on the Gaza Strip.
“The UN resolution specifically urges the opening of humanitarian aid routes to Gaza and the prompt establishment of a UN mechanism to overcome obstacles imposed by Israel on aid delivery.”
The statement reiterated Egypt’s commitment to working closely with international parties supporting peace to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire.
The goal is to preserve the lives of Palestinian civilians, alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and pave the way for a genuine peace process leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines within the framework of the two-state solution.
Titled “Scaling Up and Monitoring Aid to Gaza”, the UNSC resolution adopted in New York calls for immediate, safe and expanded humanitarian access to Gaza, to create conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.
The resolution emphasises adherence to international humanitarian law, deploring all attacks against civilians, civilian objects, violence, hostilities and acts of terrorism.
— Bernama
