UN Security Council ambassadors embarked on a one-day trip to Egypt, organizing a visit to the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip.
This visit follows the recent US veto of a council resolution calling for a ceasefire amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Humanitarian Concerns and International Representation:
Approximately a dozen ambassadors from countries including Russia and the United Kingdom joined the informal trip organized by the UAE and Egypt. The United States and France did not send representatives despite the escalating crisis.
During their visit, envoys were briefed on the dire situation in Gaza by an Egyptian foreign ministry official, emphasizing the need to acknowledge and address the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Objectives of the Diplomatic Mission:
Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s envoy to the Security Council, highlighted that the visit aimed to familiarize member states with the devastation and resilience of the people in Gaza.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, expressed deep frustration and disappointment over the inability to reach a consensus for a ceasefire.
He provided insights into the harrowing humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing the prevalent hunger and lack of necessities.
Dire Conditions and Displacement in Gaza:
The ongoing conflict and siege have displaced a significant portion of Gaza’s population, impacting basic services such as healthcare, food, fuel, water, and medicine. A considerable number of hospitals remain non-functional due to the intense bombing campaign.
Visit to Gaza’s Border and Humanitarian Facilities:
The ambassadors are scheduled to visit the Rafah crossing, the primary gateway into Gaza, and a hospital treating Palestinian patients in the Egyptian town of El-Arish near the Gaza border.
The visit aims to provide firsthand insight into the plight of the people affected by the war and siege.
