Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), stressed that the ceasefire agreement has been a lifeline for countless individuals, offering a ray of hope amidst severe hardship.
She warned that any disruption of the progress achieved in the past six weeks could lead to renewed despair.
The ICRC has played a vital role in the safe return of Israeli captives and Palestinian political prisoner and remains committed to continuing these efforts.
“These actions have brought families back together and allowed for the dignified burial of loved ones,” Spoljaric stated.
As a neutral humanitarian intermediary, the ICRC has been instrumental in advancing the ceasefire agreement, conducting these essential operations at the request of the parties involved.
Spoljaric noted that despite facing intense scrutiny and criticism, the ICRC’s dedication to this mission never wavered, as the well-being of lives and families was at stake.
She underscored the importance of maintaining the ceasefire to prevent further hostilities, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and reunite more families.
On its part, Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the Israeli occupation government’s decision to halt humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip, accusing it of using such aid as a means of blackmail and collective punishment.
This action is a blatant violation of international law and an outright affront to the principles of international humanitarian law, particularly in light of the severe humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Kingdom’s call for the international community to end these serious Israeli violations, implement mechanisms for international accountability, and ensure the continuous delivery of humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, Egypt has also condemned the Israeli occupation government’s decision to stop the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and close the crossings used for relief efforts.
In a statement released by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, Egypt declared that these actions are clear violations of the ceasefire agreement, international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and all religious principles.
Egypt emphasized that there is no justification, circumstance, or logic that can permit the use of starvation and blockade against innocent civilians, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, as a weapon against the Palestinian people.
Egypt urged the international community to take responsibility in ending all illegal and inhumane practices targeting civilians and to condemn attempts to achieve political objectives at the expense of innocent lives.
