THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- PRESS REMARKS WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF EGYPT Cairo, 24 March 2024

 

 

Assalam alaikum,

 

My dear friend, Foreign Minister [Sameh] Shoukry, thank you very much for your warm welcome.

 

Egypt is a global pillar of peace – and today I had the opportunity to discuss a number of vital issues with both President Sisi and the Foreign Minister Shoukry.

 

This includes the dire conditions in Gaza, but also the volatile situation in the occupied West Bank, and issues affecting the broader Middle East, Sudan and beyond. 

 

My visit is part of a Ramadan solidarity mission that I undertake every year to Muslim communities in distress. 

 

And I want to tell you that yesterday, I had a moment of deep sadness.

 

During this Ramadan solidarity visit I fast, out of respect for the beliefs of the communities I am visiting. And we had an Iftar with Sudanese refugees here in Cairo to express my solidarity also with the Sudanese people.

 

And immense sadness came when we were having our Iftar close to the Nile, to know that many probably the majority of the people in Gaza were not able to have a proper Iftar.

 

Yesterday I travelled to the Rafah crossing to put a global spotlight on the plight of Palestinian children, women and men struggling to survive the nightmare in Gaza.  

 

The whole world recognizes that it’s past time to silence the guns and to ensure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. 

 

I also had an unforgettable visit with injured Palestinians from Gaza at the Al Arish hospital who are recovering from wounds from the brutal war – and I thank Egypt’s generosity here as well.

 

Let me be clear.  Nothing justifies the abhorrent October 7 Hamas attacks and hostage-taking in Israel.

 

But nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.  

 

And I want to recognize the vital political and humanitarian role of Egypt.  

 

Al Arish airport and the Rafah crossing are essential arteries for life-saving aid into Gaza. 

 

But those arteries are clogged. 

 

On one side of the border there are blocked humanitarian trucks as far as the eye can see.  

 

On the other, we have a real-time humanitarian catastrophe stretching even farther. 

 

Looking at Gaza, it almost appears that the four horsemen of war, famine, conquest and death are galloping across it.

 

That is why the time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire is now. 

 

And in the Ramadan spirit of compassion, I also urge the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.  

 

The suffering must end.

 

Palestinians in Gaza desperately need what has been promised -- a flood of aid.  

 

Not trickles.  Not drops.  

 

Some progress has been made, but much more needs to be done.

 

Making that happen takes very practical steps. 

 

It requires Israel removing the remaining obstacles and chokepoints to relief.

 

It requires more crossings and access points.   All alternative routes are – of course - welcome.  But the only efficient and effective way to move heavy goods is by road.  

 

It requires an exponential increase in commercial goods. 

 

And, I repeat, it requires an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

 

The current horrors in Gaza serve no one – and are having an impact around the globe.

 

The daily assault on the human dignity of Palestinians is creating a crisis of credibility for the international community. 

 

It is challenging the values we proclaim as universal. 

 

It is challenging international law.  

 

It is challenging core humanitarian principles.  

 

It is challenging our basic humanity. 

 

Ladies and gentlemen of the media, 

 

We face trials and tests on many fronts. 

 

Yesterday evening, I had the honour of breaking the fast at an Iftar with refugees who fled from the conflict in Sudan. 

 

I was deeply moved by their heartbreaking stories of unspeakable suffering and perilous journeys – and was also profoundly inspired by their enormous resilience. 

 

It is outrageous to see the war raging during the holy month of Ramadan, despite global appeals for a ceasefire. 

 

Since the war erupted in Sudan a year ago, Egypt has generously welcomed more than 500,000 Sudanese refugees, and I know that you have already five million other ones.

 

I thank Egypt for hosting these and so many other vulnerable migrants and refugees and urge the international community to step up its support for Egypt’s efforts.

 

I also want to take this opportunity to urge all countries to ensure the integrity of the international refugee protection regime and the rights of all persons on the move.  

 

Once again, dear Foreign Minister, I pay tribute to your country’s leadership in these difficult times – and, through you, allow me to salute the people of Egypt for their generosity and commitment to the values of compassion, peace, and solidarity – the values of Ramadan.

 

Thank you.