The international parties should assume their legal, humanitarian and political responsibilities towards ending the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Shoukry told EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in a virtual meeting on Monday.
The meeting witnessed “frank and detailed” discussions on the humanitarian, security, and political aspects of the crisis in Gaza, according to a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry.
During the meeting, Shoukry urged that the international community send messages to Israel calling for an immediate ceasefire and a complete and sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian citizens in the strip.
Egypt’s top diplomat expressed “the humanitarian shock that everyone is feeling today, with the number of Palestinian victims exceeding 10,000, including more than 4.800 children within a month,” noted the statement.
He also severely criticized the indiscriminate targeting of thousands of homes, infrastructure facilities, and other medical centres.
“All countries and influential international parties must push for an immediate ceasefire and call the Israeli violations against the Gaza Strip by their names without ambiguity,” Shoukry told Borrell as per the statement.
Speaking of the situation of humanitarian aid at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, Shoukry called for removing all Israeli obstacles that hinder the entrance of desperately needed aid to the strip.
The European official promised to convey Shoukry’s message to the countries participating in the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting this week in Japan, according to the statement.
Concurring with Shoukry, Borrell said, “The humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza is unprecedented by all standards and requires more coordinated efforts to limit its repercussions on Palestinian civilians.”
Since 7 October, Israel has carried out a relentless bombardment campaign on the Gaza Strip, killing 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children, more than 2,600 women, and 600 elderly.
Moreover, Israel has imposed a complete blockade on 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, cutting off all access to food, water, power, and fuel supplies, despite global warnings of a developing humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel has only allowed a trickle of food and medical supplies, barring fuel, into the blockaded Palestinian territory.
Last week, Egypt said Israel is to blame for the delayed delivery of humanitarian aid to the embattled Gaza Strip since it creates hurdles for convoys and imposes overly strict and slow-paced inspection measures.
