Morocco Leads Urgent Call for Peace in Gaza

Wednesday 28 February 2024 - 08:10

Morocco has taken a pivotal role at the United Nations this week in advocating for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita chaired a special session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, where he fervently called for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian relief.

In his address to the gathered delegates, Bourita depicted a dire situation on the ground, describing Gaza as enduring an "unprecedented crisis and humanitarian catastrophe." With Israeli airstrikes relentlessly targeting civilian areas, aid groups report a death toll surpassing 30,000, while over 70% of Gazans have been displaced due to the violence.

"The international community can no longer ignore this suffering," declared Bourita, emphasizing Morocco's steadfast stance that the Israeli military offensive "must cease without delay." The Minister underscored the imperative of protecting civilians from indiscriminate attacks on schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

Echoing Bourita's sentiments, Morocco's UN ambassador Omar Zniber urged all involved parties to pursue diplomacy and peace. Zniber argued that only a sustainable political solution, respecting Palestinian rights, can break the cycle of conflict. Morocco has consistently supported a two-state agreement with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

As the council convened, humanitarian groups on the ground sounded alarms about the deepening crisis. With medical supplies dwindling and basic services disrupted, international relief efforts have struggled to reach those in need. Bourita stressed the critical importance of ensuring unhindered access to aid for besieged communities across Gaza.

Morocco's leadership in mobilizing UN action underscores the kingdom's unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people. As the death toll continues to climb with no end in sight, Bourita and Zniber remain committed to pressing for an immediate ceasefire and political negotiations as the only path toward stability and justice in the Holy Land.