Guterres discusses with Egypt humanitarian access to Gaza, de-escalation of crisis

Cairo, Oct 19 (EFE).- The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, met with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shukri, on Thursday to discuss ways to facilitate the urgent entry of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and curb the spiraling violence in the region.

Hamas, the Islamist group that governs Gaza, launched an unprecedented attack on Israeli territory on Oct. 7, with Israel responding with an intense bombing campaign and total siege of the enclave.

Guterres met with Shukri at Tahrir Palace in Cairo, where they discussed “joint efforts and coordination to de-escalate the crisis and put an end to the dire humanitarian situation” unfolding in the Gaza Strip, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid reported on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

Their aim is to provide “urgent access to relief materials for Palestinians” and to end “the terrible humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip”.

Guterres on Wednesday called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to alleviate the human suffering unleashed by the conflict.

The UN Secretary General is expected to participate on Saturday in an international summit hosted by Egypt, in which several world leaders will take part.

They will address the development of the war and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and “the future of the Palestinian cause”.

At least 3,785 people have died and more than 12,493 have been wounded by Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7.

Hamas’ attack on Israel left more than 1,400 people dead and more than 4,000 injured. EFE

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