The Egyptian foreign minister said “the world is witnessing the most heinous crimes” against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, adding that the war there has exposed double standards in the approach to crises around the world.

Sameh Shoukry made the remarks at the session of Human Rights Council in Geneva, stressing the need for a cease-fire and calling on Israel to refrain from carrying out military action in the city of Rafah.

He called for the need to enable humanitarian organisations to carry out their work in the Gaza Strip and to allow aid to all parts of the Palestinian enclave.

U.S. President Joe Biden had on Monday signaled that a cease-fire in Gaza could be at hand, saying that Israel has agreed to pause its offensive during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan if a deal is reached to release some hostages held by Hamas.

But both Israel and Hamas downplayed the idea on Tuesday that a breakthrough was imminent.