During his visit to Cairo, Egypt, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire and the cessation of violence in conflict zones such as Gaza and Sudan. This visit is part of Mr. Guterres’ tradition of shining a light on Muslim communities in distress, which began during his time as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. In Egypt, he met with UN humanitarian workers in Rafah to discuss strategies to alleviate the suffering of those impacted by conflict in northern Sinai.
In El Arish, Egypt, Mr. Guterres met with Palestinian civilians from Gaza and their families at the General Hospital. He spoke with women and children who had been injured during the ongoing conflict, including a 10-year-old boy who had lost his left hand and one of his legs. Witnessing the suffering of those affected by violence, he expressed the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to prevent further harm and loss of life. Mr. Guterres stressed the importance of silencing the guns and working towards peace in the region.
At the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, Mr. Guterres spoke to journalists about the ongoing conflict during the holy month of Ramadan. He highlighted the need for compassion, community, and peace during this time, emphasizing the devastating impact of continued violence on Palestinian civilians. He expressed concern over the obstacles preventing humanitarian aid from reaching those in need, including blocked relief trucks and the shadow of starvation looming over the population.
The Secretary-General condemned the veto of a US-proposed draft resolution by China and Russia, which aimed to impose a ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza through the UN Security Council. He described the situation in Gaza as a “non-stop nightmare” for Palestinians, with communities destroyed, homes demolished, and hunger and starvation affecting the population. Mr. Guterres stressed the moral outrage of aid delays and the impact of further violence on civilians caught in the conflict.
Mr. Guterres’ visit to Egypt underscores the UN’s commitment to addressing pressing humanitarian concerns in conflict zones and advocating for peace and stability in the region. By meeting with Palestinian families, witnessing the impact of violence firsthand, and calling for an immediate ceasefire, he aims to draw attention to the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilian lives. As the conflict in Gaza continues, Mr. Guterres remains dedicated to working towards a resolution that ensures the safety and well-being of all those affected by violence in the region.
