Egyptian President Labels Gaza Crisis Genocide Amid Rising Starvation

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi condemned the ongoing war in Gaza as a campaign of starvation, genocide, and an attempt to eliminate the Palestinian cause, emphasizing that the Palestinians in Gaza are facing systematic genocide. He rejected accusations that Egypt is complicit in the blockade, highlighting that Egypt has maintained the Rafah crossing open and has over 5,000 aid trucks ready to enter Gaza, while urging the international community to hold accountable those responsible for the war and humanitarian crisis. Pakistan’s UN ambassador echoed concerns, describing the situation as politically driven starvation, with Gaza on the brink of famine due to deliberate denial of access to food and medical supplies amid Israel’s blockade and military offensive. Both leaders emphasized the deadly toll on civilians, including numerous deaths from starvation and violence near aid distribution sites, and called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access. The Israeli military campaign since October 2023 has resulted in over 61,000 Palestinian deaths and extensive devastation, with international bodies like the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials on charges of war crimes. The crisis is widely recognized as a severe humanitarian disaster, with ongoing efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to halt the fighting and facilitate aid to the Palestinian population.