IRIA News

Leaders, diplomats, and representatives from more than twelve different countries had gathered in the Egyptian capital for a summit to discuss ways for de-escalation of the conflicts in the Middle East. The Cairo Summit for Peace ended without a substantial breakthrough on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

Representatives from countries including Jordan, France, Germany, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Qatar, and South Africa attended a one-day meeting in Egypt that was called to address the issues related to the war between Israel and Hamas. Representatives from the United Nations and European Union were also present during the meeting.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi hosted the multi-national summit. During his opening remarks, Al-Sisi urged his fellow leaders to reach an agreement for developing a road map to end the “humanitarian catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip.

Al-Sisi asked to revive a path to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Al-Sisi asked Israeli leadership to immediately open the delivery of aid to Gaza and agree to a ceasefire, followed by negotiations leading to a two-state solution.

“All civilian lives matter,” Jordan’s King Abdullah said, addressing the summit. “The relentless bombing campaign underway in Gaza as we speak is cruel and unconscionable on every level. It is the collective punishment of besieged and helpless people. It is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. It is a war crime.”

“Anywhere else, attacking civilian infrastructure and deliberately starving an entire population of food, water, electricity, and basic necessities would be condemned. Accountability would be enforced, but not in Gaza,” he added.

Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also attended the Cairo Peace Summit and urged the world leaders to take “urgent actions to put an immediate end to [Israeli] military operations.”

The Saudi foreign minister called on the international community to take a “firm stance by obligating Israel to respect international humanitarian law” and said, “We affirm the Kingdom’s adherence to peace as a strategic option by standing with the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate rights.”

Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan at the Cairo Peace Summit: “The tragic events taking place in Palestine require us to take urgent action to put an immediate end to military operations.” pic.twitter.com/pqfhS6trkp

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) October 21, 2023

No representation from Israel

Arab leaders condemned the Israeli bombardment of Gaza while European leaders said that civilians should be shielded. UK’s foreign secretary James Cleverly “called for discipline and professionalism and restraint from the Israeli military” and that he still believed in the “power of diplomacy and to secure a future where Israelis and Palestinians live in peace”.

Due to the absence of Israel’s representation at the summit, no agreement was reached towards containing the violence.

The United States also refrained from sending any of its senior officials to attend the summit. Washington has been supporting Israel to continue its operation in Gaza for the eradication of Hamas and refrains from calling an immediate ceasefire.

Humanitarian aid and corridor

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attended the summit and asked the international community to immediately open the humanitarian corridors so the people of Gaza can access the aid at a time when it is needed the most. He said Palestinians would not leave their homes. “We will remain on our land.”

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan urged for the current conflict to become, “rather than a regional conflagration, a breeding ground for a just and lasting peace.” He condemned “unconditional military aid to Israel which only serves to maintain the occupation.”

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for “a humanitarian ceasefire now”. He emphasized three key things to help de-escalate the crisis: “Immediate, unrestricted, and sustained humanitarian aid for besieged civilians in Gaza. Immediate unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza. And immediate and dedicated efforts to prevent the spread of the violence, which is increasing the risk of spillover.”

Egypt has been trying for days to channel humanitarian aid to Gaza through the Rafah crossing, the one access point to the war-torn Gaza Strip that is not controlled by Israel.