Search for a Diplomatic Solution
Preventing a “wildfire” is how Foreign Minister Baerbock describes the aim of the Cairo conference on the Middle East, which Egypt has hosted. The UN hopes for a ceasefire, while Jordan’s King Abdullah II strongly criticizes the situation.
The first aid supplies have arrived in the Gaza Strip nearly two weeks after the blockade. This news dominated the first hours of the so-called peace summit in Cairo.
Numerous heads of state and government from the Middle East, as well as representatives from the United Nations and Western countries, are discussing in Cairo how to bring larger quantities of food and medicine to the Gaza Strip as soon as possible – as well as whether and when foreign nationals can leave. Furthermore, the main focus is on how to prevent an escalation of the war between Israel and the militant-extremist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Not only the Egyptian government fears that the conflict could spread to other countries, including Egypt. This is why Cairo is committed to a diplomatic solution.
Israel absent
Shortly after 12 noon local time, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi opened the international conference. “Today, we come together in Cairo during a difficult time that tests our humanity, our interests, our conviction of the value of human life and their right to exist,” he said. “The whole world, not just the peoples of the region, are watching with great concern our positions at this critical historical moment.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, are also participating in the summit. With the help of Qatar, which hosts the Hamas political leadership in Doha and also has good contacts with Israel, they managed to persuade Hamas to release two US hostages yesterday evening. Approximately 200 more hostages are still held by Hamas, including Germans.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Cairo yesterday. She extended her second trip to the Middle East within a few days in order to participate in the conference as well. The main goal is to prevent a “wildfire” and avoid a civilian catastrophe after the major Hamas attack on Israel and the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
In contrast, Israel is not attending. A spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they were not invited and would not participate.
UN calls for a humanitarian ceasefire
Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdullah II strongly criticized Israel’s attacks in the Gaza Strip. The “relentless bombardment in Gaza” is “cruel and ruthless on every level,” he said in Cairo. “It is a collective punishment for a besieged and helpless population. It is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. It is a war crime.” Abdullah II also criticized the international community for remaining silent on the conflict.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. He mentioned three immediate goals: unhindered humanitarian aid for the civilians in the Gaza Strip, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages abducted by Israel, and dedicated efforts to restrain violence in order to prevent an escalation of the conflict.
During the summit meeting, Palestinian President Abbas stated, “We will never leave. We will never abandon our land. We will stand strong on our land until the end.” The “defenseless Palestinian people” must now endure a fierce war. “The cycle of violence continues because the Palestinians lack rights and are neglected.”
