Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the international efforts required to ensure sufficient and continuous access to humanitarian aid for the region.
According to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry: "Minister Sameh Shoukry received a phone call from Catherine Colonna, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, where they extensively addressed the developments related to the Gaza Strip crisis in light of the tragic humanitarian conditions."
The foreign minister received a call from the French foreign minister to consult and coordinate on the situation in Gaza, and to coordinate efforts for humanitarian aid access. Shoukry reiterated the necessity of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2720 regarding the United Nations mechanism for expediting and monitoring aid access.
The ministers also discussed the risks of the conflict expanding. Shoukry emphasized "the urgent need for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2720, which includes establishing a UN-sponsored mechanism to expedite and monitor the delivery of humanitarian aid to the territory," urging his French counterpart to "work during her country's presidency of the Security Council this January to follow up on the implementation of the resolution and ensure it meets its goals and objectives."
During the call, Shoukry reaffirmed Egypt's firm rejection of any actions or statements that encourage Palestinians to leave their lands, demanding an end to the irresponsible and inflammatory statements issued repeatedly by some Israeli officials in this regard, which have been categorically rejected by the international community and major countries, as well as the United Nations.
Shoukry and Colonna also discussed developments in Lebanon and the increasing threats to navigation in the Red Sea, warning of the significant risks surrounding scenarios of expanding the conflict and what they pose to the stability of the entire region and to international peace and security.
In this context, Sameh Shoukry stressed "the necessity for international parties to fulfill their responsibilities in supporting efforts to achieve a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza to end the tragic humanitarian situation faced by our Palestinian brothers, as well as the need to put an end to the increasing violence and violations by Israel in the West Bank." He emphasized that the prolonged nature of the current crisis and the continued failure to stop Israeli assaults, which violate all provisions of international law, heralds risks that threaten the future engagement of the international community with the Palestinian issue, as well as expanding the circle of violence and leading the region into an uncalculated adventure.
The two ministers agreed to continue consultations in the upcoming period regarding the necessary measures to contain the crisis in Gaza and mitigate its repercussions.
