The Jordanian capital of Amman is set to host on Tuesday an emergency international conference on the Gaza crisis, under the theme “Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza,” co-organized by Egypt and the United Nations.
The high-level gathering, which will commence at 10:00am Cairo Time, will feature heads of state, senior government representatives, and key organizations addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Main objective
The conference seeks to explore ways to strengthen the international community’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and outline effective measures to alleviate the suffering endured by the residents of the strip.
It will also discuss preparations for early recovery, address the operational and logistical needs and necessary support, and seek commitments for a collective, coordinated response to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Who will attend?
According to the Jordanian News Agency Petra, the emergency conference will be held at the invitation of Jordanian King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to participate in the conference, along with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths, according to the conference’s official website.
For his part, King Abdullah stressed the importance of the conference in unifying and consolidating efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the strip.
He also emphasized the need to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, protect civilians, and implement the two-state solution to achieve regional peace and security.
Egypt’s stance
Last week, the Egyptian foreign ministry said that the conference aims to find practical steps that guarantee the immediate, appropriate and sustainable delivery of humanitarian and emergency medical aid into Gaza.
He noted that the high-level meeting also seeks to accelerate and organise the process of providing aid, and ensure the sustainable and safe delivery of aid into the besieged strip as well as ensure the protection of civilians.
On 7 May, Israel launched its assault on Rafah, taking over the Palestinian side of the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Since that time, no humanitarian aid has entered through the crossing to for Gaza’s population, which is facing famine.
As per an agreement between the Egyptian and US presidents, Egypt has agreed to send aid temporarily through the Karm Abu Salem border crossing until Israel withdraws from the main passage.
Egypt has repeatedly asserted that Israeli forces should withdraw from the Palestinian side of the crossing as a prerequisite for reopening it.
Since 7 October, the Israeli war on Gaza has killed over 37,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 80,000 others, mostly women and children.
Source: Ahram Online
