France, Egypt and Jordan call for an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza and the implementation of the two-state solution

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They warn of “the dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive in Rafah” and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid in the Strip

April 9 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The leaders of France, Egypt and Jordan called on Tuesday for an “immediate” ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and stressed that “the war in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian suffering it is causing must end now,” before influencing that “violence, terror and war cannot bring peace to the Middle East”, something that will be possible “with the two-state solution”.

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, King Abdullah II of Jordan and the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattá al Sisi, have published a joint opinion article in the American newspaper 'The Washington Post' in which they emphasize that the two-state solution “It is the only credible path to guarantee peace and security for all and ensure that neither Palestinians nor Israelis have to suffer the horrors that have plagued them since the October 7 attacks.”

“The establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State on the basis of the two-State solution, in accordance with International Law and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, to live side by side in peace and security with Israel, “It is the only way to achieve true peace,” they said, before asking the international organization “to play a role in the decisive reopening of this horizon for peace.”

Thus, they recalled that “the United Nations Security Council finally assumed its responsibility on March 25 by calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza”, which they describe as “a critical step that must be implemented in its entirety without further delays.” “, given Israel's refusal to take this step and end its offensive against the Palestinian enclave.

“In light of the intolerable toll of war casualties, we, the leaders of Egypt, France and Jordan, call for the immediate and unconditional implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2728. We underline the urgent need to achieve an end to permanent fire in Gaza,” they have maintained.

In this sense, they have stressed “the urgency” of implementing “the demand of the UN Security Council for the immediate release of all the hostages” kidnapped during the attacks carried out on October 7 by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and They have reiterated their support for the indirect negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States.

REJECTION OF AN OFFENSIVE IN RAFÁ

“While we urge all parties to comply with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, we warn against the dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive in Rafah, where around 1.5 million Palestinian civilians have sought refuge.” Macron, Abdullah II and Al Sisi have stated.

In this way, they have argued that “such an offensive would only bring more death and suffering, increase the risks and consequences of the mass displacement of the Gaza population, and threaten regional escalation,” after Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that this offensive “already has a date.”

“We reiterate our respect for all lives. We condemn all violations and abuses of International Humanitarian Law, including all acts of violence, terrorism and indiscriminate attacks against civilians,” the leaders of these three countries said in their article, in which They emphasize that “protecting civilians is a fundamental legal obligation for all parties and the cornerstone of International Humanitarian Law.” “Violating this obligation is absolutely prohibited,” they recalled.

On the other hand, they have warned that “Palestinians in Gaza no longer face the risk of famine, but rather that famine is already beginning” and have stated that “there is an urgent need for a massive increase in the provision and distribution of aid “humanitarian”.

The three leaders have further argued that “UN agencies, including the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency in the Near East (UNRWA), and humanitarian actors play a critical role in aid operations in Gaza” and have highlighted that “they must be protected and have full access, including in the northern area of ​​Gaza.”

“We condemn the murder of humanitarian aid workers, most recently the attack on the World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid convoy,” they said, referring to the death last week of seven workers from this organization in an Army bombing. of Israel in the Palestinian enclave.

PETITION TO INCREASE AID

For this reason, they have reiterated that “in accordance with International Law, Israel has the obligation to guarantee the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population” and have stressed that “it is a responsibility that it has not fulfilled.”

“We reiterate the Security Council's demand that restrictions on humanitarian assistance be lifted and that Israel immediately facilitate humanitarian assistance through all crossings, including in the northern Gaza Strip and through a direct land corridor from Jordan, as well as by sea,” they stressed.

Likewise, they have shown their commitment to “continue intensifying” efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Gazan population and have emphasized “the urgency of restoring hope for peace and security for everyone in the region, mainly for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.” .

Along these lines, they have promised to “continue working together to avoid greater indirect consequences in the region” and have asked all parties to “refrain from any increase in actions.” “We urge an end to all unilateral measures, including settlement activities (in the West Bank and East Jerusalem) and land confiscation. We also urge Israel to prevent settler violence,” they said.

For this reason, they have highlighted “the need to respect the historical and legal 'status quo' in the Muslim and Christian holy places of Jerusalem” and have insisted on their “determination” when it comes to “intensifying efforts” to “achieve “effective” implementation of the two-state solution.