While in Egypt, the Elders published a statement highlighting what they saw and calling for international action to end the man-made famine and unfolding genocide in Gaza. Read it here.

During their trip, Mary Robinson and Helen Clark met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty to discuss the urgency of collective action, ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire, and steps to build momentum towards a two-state solution.

At the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo, the Elders heard powerful reflections from Palestinian civil society and diplomats on the duty of states to prevent genocide, and the urgent need to end Israeli impunity.

They visited Al Arish hospital, which has been treating some medical evacuees from Gaza. They met with medical staff treating patients to discuss their work and what they have learned about the impact of the war on Gazan civilians.

The Elders then met with UN teams who are ready to deliver vital food and medical support at scale. They heard that what's lacking isn’t capacity, but the political will to end the obstruction of aid by the Israeli government.

Their visit to the Egyptian Red Crescent warehouses in Al Arish and the Rafah border crossing reinforced these sentiments. They saw vast stockpiles of food and medicines, including basic pain relief, ready for Gaza. Again, they heard how Israeli authorities are blocking delivery, sending trucks back repeatedly without plausible explanation. They heard of Palestinians undergoing surgery without anaesthesia, and of parents unable to feed themselves or their children due to this obstruction.

Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and UNDP Administrator, said:

“I was horrified to learn from UNFPA that the birth rate in Gaza has dropped by over 40% in the first half of 2025, compared to the same period three years ago.  Women lack access to safe places to give birth, and many do so with insufficient anaesthesia or pain-killers.  Many new mothers are unable to feed themselves or their newborn babies adequately, and the health system is collapsing.  All of this threatens the very survival of an entire generation.”    

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said:

“Governments that are not using all the tools at their disposal to halt the unfolding genocide in Gaza are increasingly complicit.  Political leaders have the power and the legal obligation to apply measures to pressure this Israeli government to end its atrocity crimes. 

This is all the more urgent in light of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Gaza City takeover plan. President Trump has the leverage to compel a change of course. He must use it now.”  

For media inquiries, please contact William French, Head of Communications at The Elders (+44 7795 693 903), or email: [email protected]

The Elders are very grateful to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the Governor of North Sinai, the UN Country Team and the Egyptian Red Crescent for facilitating their visit to Al Arish and the Rafah border crossing.