Egyptian MPs condemn Netanyahu for ‘war crime’ of blocking aid for Gaza

Members of the Egyptian parliament have condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to block the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and called it a war crime and flagrant violation of international law. The MPs stressed that Israel is resorting to a deliberate policy of collective punishment and starvation as a weapon to subjugate the Palestinians and force them to accept its unfair conditions.

Elaria Harris MP, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee in the parliament, said that the Israeli move reflects the occupation state’s “oppressive” policies. Egypt is making great efforts to save the ceasefire agreement, she pointed out, despite Israel’s continuous attempts to thwart any efforts to calm the situation. “Cairo,” explained the MP, “is acting on every level to prevent the worsening of the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip, especially in light of the stifling siege imposed by the occupation, which threatens the lives of millions of innocent people.”

The MP warned that Israel’s steps will only lead to more tension in the region. “This requires a strong international position that forces the occupation state to respect its obligations and stop its violations against the Palestinians,” she added.

A member of Egypt’s Senate Health Committee, Mohamed El-Badry MP, noted that Netanyahu’s “arbitrary decision” exacerbates the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the people of Gaza facing a severe shortage of food, medicine and basic services. “This exposes the true face of the occupation state,” he said, “which seeks to impose a new reality by force amid unacceptable and unjustified international collusion and silence.”

Egypt, led by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, said El-Badry, is trying hard to prevent the escalation of the crisis. “Cairo will not allow the passage of any plans targeting the displacement of Palestinians or imposing solutions that undermine their legitimate rights,” he insisted. “It will continue to protect Egyptian and Arab national security and support the Palestinian cause.”

El-Badry called on the UN and the international community to fulfil their responsibilities and take a decisive stance to compel Israel to open the border crossings and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid. Failure to do so, he warned, could threaten the stability of the entire region.

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