Egypt warned in Geneva today that an attack by the Israeli army on Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, would have “catastrophic consequences” for peace in the Middle East.
“Any military action under the current circumstances will have disastrous consequences that may endanger peace in the region,” said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, urging Israel not to attack Rafah and calling for an immediate ceasefire.
“The world is witnessing the most heinous crimes and violations against the Palestinian people,” he added.
The head of Egyptian diplomacy made these statements, together with his counterparts from the Arab League, before the UN Human Rights Council, which is holding its 55th session in Geneva.
He deplored the fact that some of the 47 member countries of the Council are refusing to take on Gaza the tough measures they have taken in other conflicts, criticizing the policy of two measures and two stops. “It seems that life in Gaza is not worth their attention, that the slaughter of tens of thousands of children cannot shake their conscience, which is very sensitive to other issues.”
“The lives of the children of Gaza seem to have less value than the lives of others (…). This portends the collapse of the international system, including this council,” he added.
The war broke out on October 7 when Hamas militants launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, killing at least 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
According to Israel, 130 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, of whom 31 are believed to be dead.
The Israeli offensive has so far caused 29,878 deaths in the Gaza Strip, the vast majority of them civilians, according to the health ministry of Hamas, which controls the Palestinian enclave.
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said the world “cannot continue to turn a blind eye” to the “unprecedented human catastrophe” in Gaza.
Qatar’s International Cooperation Minister Lolouah Al-Khater said Gaza is the scene of a “genocidal war” and that the situation in the occupied West Bank is worsening. “The support by some world powers of this Israeli exception above international law must stop,” she stressed, addressing the Council.
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