Leaders, diplomats, and foreign ministers from various countries in the Arab, European, and African regions convened in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Saturday for a peace summit with the goal of reducing tensions in the Israel-Gaza conflict. This meeting is in response to the growing concern that the conflict might have broader implications for the Middle East.
The initial remarks of the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for leaders to come to an agreement to end the “human catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip, henceforth reviving the path of peace.
However, the summit ended without any consensus toward averting an Israeli ground invasion. Two weeks into the conflict that has killed thousands and resulted in human catastrophe.
Human Catastrophe
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the air and missile strikes carried out by Israel have resulted in the deaths of 4,835 Palestinians, and this number has continued to rise, reaching 5,087 since October 7th.
Women and children are disproportionately affected, comprising 62 percent of the casualties, with thousands suffering injuries.
In addition, the United Nations humanitarian aid office OCHA, mentioned that over 1000 have been reported missing and “are presumed to be trapped or dead under the rubble.”
Over the weekend, around 34 aid trucks provided by the UN and Egyptian Red Crescent entered the enclave through the Rafah crossing, however, stressed on responding to soaring humanitarian needs, ‘at least 100 aid trucks are required on a daily basis.
A glimpse of hope entered in Gaza today with very limited aid supplies.
Given the level of destruction, this is far from enough.@WHO, @UNDP, @UNFPA, @UNICEF, @WFP call for:
– a humanitarian ceasefire
– immediate, unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza
– safe and…— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 21, 2023
The Joint Statement by UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and WFP on ‘humanitarian supplies crossing into Gaza’, released on October 21st, is indicative of growing horrors on the ground. With so much od infrastructure destroyed in fourteen days of constant bombing, including health, water and sanitation facilities, any disease outbreak coupled with destroyed healthcare facilities could lead to skyrocketing mortality rates.
‘We call for a humanitarian ceasefire, along with immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza to allow humanitarian actors to reach to civilians in need, save lives and prevent further humanitarian suffering,’ the joint statement added.
Absence of Key player
The absence of any Israeli representative and any senior official from the United States side or for that matter the absence of any representative from Iran, has reduced expectations for what the summit can achieve.
The United States sent its Cairo charge d’affaires who did not address the meeting in public.
The summit takes place as the Israeli forces prepare for a ground counteroffensive, after almost two weeks of constant bombing and amid a growing humanitarian crisis.
Nonetheless, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas participated in the summit and stated, “We will remain on our land.” He also asked for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor.
A meeting convened to address the potential prevention of a broader regional conflict concluded without issuing a joint statement, as there were ongoing sensitivities surrounding whether to reference Hamas’ attacks or acknowledge Israel’s right to self-defense.
The complexities do not stop at this point
The increasing prevalence of the ‘Us Vs Them’ ideology worldwide has given rise to security concerns in numerous nations. However, Arab countries are particularly concerned about the potential large-scale displacement of Palestinians.
The leaders of Egypt and Jordan have expressed their apprehensions regarding the risk of a Gaza offensive leading to a permanent eviction of Gazans from their homes and subsequent refugee inflow in the region, similar to the events of 1948.
King Abdullah II stated that forced displacement is a “war crime according to international law, and a red line for all of us.” Additionally, he mentioned that such conditions would wreck peace in the region.
Furthermore, the UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, called for a broad humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, and to ‘redouble the efforts’ to ensure complete compliance with the international law.
“The violence will never end unless leaders stand up and take the brave and humane choices that are required by fundamental humanity. The first step must be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, saving the lives of civilians through the delivery of prompt and effective humanitarian aid, throughout Gaza, provided according to the need and not limited by any other arbitrary criteria,” he added.