The war in Gaza and the catastrophic humanitarian suffering it is causing must end now. Violence, terror and war cannot bring peace to the Middle East. The two-state solution will. It is the only credible path to guaranteeing peace and security for all, and ensuring that neither the Palestinians nor the Israelis ever have to relive the horrors that have befallen them since the October 7 attacks.

On March 25, the United Nations Security Council finally assumed its responsibility by demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. This is a critical step that must be fully implemented without further delay.

In light of the intolerable human toll, we, the leaders of Egypt, France and Jordan, call for the immediate and unconditional implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2728.  We underline the urgent need to bring about a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We emphasize the urgency of implementing the Security Council's demand for the immediate release of all hostages, and reaffirm our support for the Egypt-Qatar-US brokered negotiations dealing with ceasefire, hostages, and detainees.

As we urge all parties to abide by all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, we warn against the dangerous consequences of an Israeli offensive on Rafah, where more than 1.5 million Palestinian civilians have sought refuge. Such an offensive will only bring more death and suffering, heighten the risks and consequences of mass forcible displacement of the people of Gaza and threaten regional escalation.

We reiterate our equal respect for all lives. We condemn all violations and abuses of international humanitarian law, including all acts of violence, terrorism and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Protecting civilians is a fundamental legal obligation on all parties and the cornerstone of international humanitarian law. Violating this obligation is absolutely prohibited.

Urgent need for aid

Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, famine is already setting in. There is an urgent need for a massive increase in the provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance. This is a core demand of UN Security Council resolutions 2720 and 2728, which emphasize the urgent need to expand aid supplies. UN agencies, including UNRWA, and humanitarian actors play a critical role in humanitarian operations in Gaza. They must be protected and granted full access, including in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

We condemn the killing of humanitarian aid workers, most recently the attack against World Central Kitchen's aid convoy. Consistent with international law, Israel is under an obligation to ensure the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population, a responsibility it has not fulfilled. We reiterate the Security Council's demand to lift barriers to humanitarian assistance and for Israel to immediately facilitate humanitarian assistance through all crossing points, including in the North of the Gaza Strip and through a direct land corridor from Jordan, as well as by sea.

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