Egypt expressed its deep regret and rejection over the repeated failure of the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday 20/2/2024.
This comes after the United States used its veto power for the third time, blocking the resolution proposed by Algeria on behalf of the Arab Group.
Thirteen members of the Council supported the draft, while the United Kingdom abstained and the US cast the sole veto against the ceasefire, for the third time since October.
“Egypt considers the obstruction of a resolution demanding a ceasefire in an armed conflict that has claimed the lives of over 29,000 civilians, mostly children and women, a shameful precedent in the Security Council’s history of handling of armed conflicts and wars,” added the statement.
The statement further emphasized that this failure carries a moral and humanitarian responsibility for the continued casualties among Palestinian civilians and their ongoing suffering under Israeli bombardment.
“Egypt strongly condemns the selectivity and double standards displayed by the international community in dealing with wars and armed conflicts in different regions. This casts doubt on the credibility of the current international system’s rules and mechanisms, especially the Security Council entrusted with the responsibility of preventing and settling conflicts and ending wars,” the ministry added.
Egypt reiterated its unwavering demand for an immediate ceasefire, recognizing it as the optimal means to prevent further bloodshed among Palestinian civilians.
It also pledged to exert maximum efforts to ensure the continuous delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Additionally, the statement emphasized opposition to any measures that could lead to the displacement of Palestinians from their lands, including rejecting any Israeli military operations in the city of Rafah.
