CAIRO: Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry has discussed the latest situation in Gaza with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during a phone call on Monday.
During the discussion, Shoukry briefed his Australian counterpart on the latest developments in the war hit region and Egypt’s cooperation with global powers to end the crisis.
Shoukry also conveyed his condolences to the government of Australia following the death of an Australian aid worker in Gaza.
The worker was killed during an Israeli airstrike, which hit aid workers affiliated with the World Central Kitchen. The strike resulted in the killing of seven aid workers.
Shoukry stressed Israel’s duty to comply with international humanitarian law. He emphasized need to halt attacks on Palestinian civilians as well as international relief workers, and those who are working to address the dire humanitarian situation faced by people in the Gaza Strip.
During the call, the two ministers talked about the deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions in the besieged enclave and the efforts to implement UN Security Council resolutions.
They stressed the need of achieving an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and fast delivery of humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent requirements of the residents of the Gaza Strip.
Shoukry lauded Australia’s decision to restore support for UNRWA, noting the organization’s vital role in countering the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The two ministers during the call completely rejected Israel’s military operations in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. They also discussed bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Australia.
Shoukry and Wong emphasized the importance of ongoing coordination and consultation to boost bilateral cooperation.
