Egypt holds Israel responsible for ‘violating’ UN resolution

By Ikram Kouachi

Egypt warned on Saturday of the humanitarian and security repercussions of the Israeli ground operation in the Gaza Strip, and held Tel Aviv responsible for violating the UN resolution which called for an humanitarian cease-fire.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed said the ground invasion would increase the number of casualties, and renewed its call on the Israeli side to facilitate procedures for safe, complete and sustainable access for humanitarian and relief aid to the Gaza Strip.

It warned that failure to immediately address the demands for a humanitarian truce and facilitating the access of aid to the Gaza Strip will lead to an inevitable humanitarian catastrophe, and destabilize regional security and stability of the region.

Gaza has been under relentless Israeli airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

The Palestinian group had initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air raids, which intensified Friday night along with ground activities amid a complete blackout of telecommunications and internet networks.

At least 7,703 Palestinians, including 3,595 children, have been killed in the Israeli attacks, while ​​​​​​​the death toll in Israel stands at more than 1,400.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents are also grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel’s blockade of the enclave. Only a few aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the opening of the Rafah crossing point last weekend.

The UN General Assembly late Friday approved a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, but Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called it “despicable” and rejected it.