Egypt reiterated its support for the Palestinian people in securing their rights, including the establishment of an independent state, and expressed solidarity with Syria and Lebanon in protecting their territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Speaking at a UN Security Council session on the Middle East, Egypt’s permanent representative, Osama Abdel Khalek, said that lasting peace in the region requires “Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied territories”.
Abdel Khalek called for the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and all provisions of Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Agreement, warning of the dangers of any violations.
He also condemned the Israeli Knesset’s approval of two bills to annex parts of the West Bank and welcomed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion, which reaffirmed that international law prohibits the displacement or starvation of the Palestinian population.
The ICJ said last Wednesday that Palestinians in Gaza have not received adequate humanitarian aid and ruled that Israel must “facilitate aid access” and “refrain from using starvation as a weapon of war”. The advisory opinion, requested by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, is non-binding but underscores Israel’s obligations toward UN operations and other organizations in Gaza and the West Bank.
