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- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Secretary-General's remarks to Cairo Summit for Peace
21 October 2023, Cairo
Secretary-General's remarks to Cairo Summit for Peace
Your Excellency President el-Sisi,
Your Majesties,
Your Highnesses,
Excellencies,
We meet in the heart of a region that is reeling in pain and one step from the precipice.
A region where it is impossible not to be rocked to the core by heart-wrenching, soul-searing images of suffering.
Yesterday I went to the Rafah border crossing.
There I saw a paradox -- a humanitarian catastrophe playing out in real time.
On the one hand, I saw hundreds of trucks teeming with food and other essential supplies.
On the other hand, we know that just across the border, there are two million people -- without water, food, fuel, electricity and medicine.
Children, mothers, the elderly, the sick.
Full trucks on one side, empty stomachs on the other.
Those trucks need to move as quickly as possible in a massive, sustained and safe way from Egypt into Gaza.
A 20-truck convoy of the Egyptian Red Crescent is moving today.
And I want to express my deep gratitude to Egypt in this regard.
But the people of Gaza need a commitment for much, much more – a continuous delivery of aid to Gaza at the scale that is needed.
We are working nonstop with all parties that are relevant to make it happen.
Excellencies,
Let’s be clear.
The grievances of the Palestinian people are legitimate and long.
We cannot and must not ignore the wider context for these tragic events: the long-standing conflict and 56 years of occupation with no end in sight.
But nothing can justify the reprehensible assault by Hamas that terrorized Israeli civilians.
And those abhorrent attacks can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
International humanitarian law – including the Geneva Conventions – must be upheld.
That includes protecting civilians and not attacking hospitals, schools and UN premises that are currently sheltering half a million people.
Excellencies,
Our near-term goals must be clear:
Immediate, unrestricted and sustained humanitarian aid for besieged civilians in Gaza.
Immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
And immediate and dedicated efforts to prevent the spread of violence which is increasing the risk of spillover.
To advance all these efforts, I appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire now.
Excellencies,
Our sustained collective efforts and resources have never been needed more.
As we focus on ending the bloodshed, we cannot lose sight of the only realistic foundation for a true peace and stability: a two-State solution.
Israelis must see their legitimate needs for security materialized, and Palestinians must see their legitimate aspirations for an independent State realized, in line with United Nations resolutions, international law and previous agreements.
The time has come for action.
Action to end this godawful nightmare.
Action to build a future worthy of the dreams of the children of Palestine, Israel, the region and our world.
Thank you.
Secretary-General's remarks to Cairo Summit for Peace | United Nations Secretary-General
- Statements by the UN Special Coordinator
Statement by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, on the Situation in the Middle East
Statement by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,
Tor Wennesland, on the Situation in the Middle East
Cairo, 21 October 2023
“I welcome the efforts of the Arab Republic of Egypt for convening today’s Cairo Summit for Peace to address the ongoing hostilities in Gaza and Israel.
Alongside the Secretary-General, today we continued the United Nations’ political engagements with relevant parties in the region and beyond to bring an end to the bloodshed and prevent further loss of civilian lives.
I took note of the shared concerns about the risk of a spillover of the conflict to the wider region and welcome the many calls for a political solution as the way forward.
I wish to thank the Egyptian authorities for facilitating today’s entry of the first truckloads of aid into the Gaza Strip through Rafah. This is an important step that must not be the last. Aid needs to flow safely and continuously going forward.
It is a war zone in Gaza and the needs are immense. All of us can and must do more to save lives now.
I reiterate the Secretary-General’s urgent appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
- Secretary-General Statements [dup 827]
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Middle East
21 October 2023, Cairo
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General - on the situation in the Middle East
The Secretary-General is grateful for the assistance of the Emir of Qatar for his efforts to secure the release of two Americans who had been held hostage in Gaza.
The Secretary-General renews his call for an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
He calls once again for unhindered and sustained humanitarian access in Gaza; full respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians; as well as for a concerted effort by the international community to avoid a wider regional spill-over of the conflict.
Stephane Dujarric
Spokesman for the Secretary-General