Egypt-PBB Discuss Strengthening Gaza's Armistice
JAKARTA - Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed efforts to strengthen the ceasefire agreement on the Gaza Strip and reduce tensions in the occupied West Bank area.
Through a telephone conversation, Abdelatty and Guterres discussed developments in the Palestinian occupation area, including international efforts to support deescalation, strengthening the ceasefire in Gaza including easing the situation in the West Bank.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry revealed Abdelatty emphasized the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and ensuring humanitarian assistance enters the Gaza Strip without a hitch.
Israel continues to violate the Gaza ceasefire agreement in force since October 10, while continuing to carry out daily military operations in the West Bank.
Since October 2023, Israel has killed more than 70,300 people on the Gaza Line, mostly women and children, and injured more than 171,000 others. The attack continued despite a two-month ceasefire.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 386 Palestinians have been killed and another 1,002 injured since the ceasefire was imposed.
The discussion between Abdelatty and Guterres also includes consultations on plans to deploy international stabilization troops in Gaza as part of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, December 11, Abdelatty emphasized the importance of establishing a Palestinian technocrat committee to manage Gaza as a first step to return the Palestinian Government authorities to the region.
He reiterated Egypt's absolute rejection of plans to move Palestinians or change Gaza's geographical and demographic conditions.
In addition, Abdelatty warned of increased risks in the West Bank due to violence perpetrated by illegal settlers and continued land confiscation.
He assessed that the situation could expand instability and demanded the responsibility of urging the international community to stop the breach.
Palestinians assess Israel is increasing its military escalation in the occupied West Bank, including evictions, land grabbing, and settlement expansion, which they consider a step towards annexation.
Palestinian data recorded 1,093 people killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, nearly 11,000 injured, and about 21,000 others detained since October 2023 as a result of actions by Israeli troops and illegal settlers.
Abdelatty also highlighted the UN Agency's important role for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in supporting Palestinian refugees, and said the agency's mandate was irreplaceable.
His remarks came after Israel on Monday raided a closed UNRWA office in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem. The action sparked regional and international criticism.
The office has been in operation since 1951 but was vacated earlier this year following an order from the Israeli government. Knesset then banned UNRWA activities in the Jerusalem area.
Israel accused a number of UNRWA employees of being involved in the October 7, 2023 incident, but the allegations were denied by the agency. The UN also stressed that UNRWA maintains its neutrality.