As the violence in the nearby Gaza Strip spiraled out of control, Egypt’s top diplomat Sameh Shoukry attended discussions with the director of the UN organization for Palestinian refugees on Wednesday.
According to a statement from the foreign ministry, Shoukry’s discussions with UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini were centered on “how to provide protection for civilians and ensure regular access to services and relief aid to Gaza.”
Tor Wennesland, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, was also present.
Shoukry warned of the “dangerous humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip” and said Egypt “fully supports UN agencies” in ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The only entry point to Gaza not controlled by Israel is the Rafah crossing from Egypt, which Israeli aircraft bombed three times between Monday and Tuesday.
Since Hamas militants launched a brutal cross-border assault from Gaza on Saturday, Israel has pounded the territory with air strikes.
Additionally, Itr declared “a complete siege” on Gaza, shutting off the 2.3 million residents’ access to food, water, fuel, and electricity.
Shoukry warned of “the consequences of policies of collective punishment, starvation and siege, in violation of international humanitarian law”.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk too has said that the siege is “prohibited” under international law and has called for the establishment of “a humanitarian corridor”.
The Egyptian Red Crescent said Tuesday it was working “round the clock” to deliver “urgent aid” to their counterparts in Gaza, who said they had received the “first shipment of medical aid” through Rafah on Monday.
