Shoukry Stresses Need for Israel to Comply with Obligations as “Occupying Force”

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Israel must comply with its obligations as the occupying power, by opening all land crossings with the Gaza Strip, and allowing full and safe access for humanitarian aid to the Palestinian Strip.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said that Shoukry’s statements came during a phone call, Friday, with the United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza Sigrid Kaag.

The spokesman added that Shoukry and Kaag discussed in detail the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The United Nations Coordinator briefed the Foreign Minister on the activation of the UN mechanism established under UN Security Council Resolution No. 2720 to monitor and accelerate the process of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The two sides discussed the dangers of Israeli military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafah and Israel's control over the Palestinian side of its crossing.

In this regard, both parties stressed the need to provide safe conditions for the entry of humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing, in addition to ending military operations in the vicinity of the crossing.

Finally, the FM stressed the need for Israel to provide protection for humanitarian workers and not target the headquarters of United Nations relief agencies, in addition to ensuring the freedom of movement of relief crews in the Gaza Strip.