Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Sunday highlighted the logistical challenges imposed by Israel and the repeated bombing of the Rafah border crossing, which have delayed the delivery of aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, placing additional burdens on Egypt.
Shoukry made these remarks during his talks with Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), in Cairo, where they discussed the deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip and the increasing humanitarian needs of its residents, according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
Egypt’s top diplomat emphasized the urgent need to provide more assistance to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting Egypt’s intensive efforts to this end. The WFP Director praised Egypt for ensuring that Palestinians in Gaza continue to receive humanitarian aid.
Previously, Egypt had complained about the slow inspection procedures of aid trucks sent from Egypt to Gaza through the Rafah crossing at the Israeli Nitzana checkpoint.
Earlier on Sunday, Egypt dispatched 75 trucks loaded with food, water, and medical supplies through the Rafah crossing into Gaza, bringing the total number of aid trucks sent to the enclave since October 21 to nearly 500, according to a security source who spoke to Xinhua news agency and wished to remain anonymous.
During his visit to Egypt in October, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the Rafah crossing and the El-Arish airport in Egypt, which receives flights carrying supplies contributed by other countries, as “lifelines for the people of Gaza.”
On October 7, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas” launched a surprise attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets and infiltrating occupied territories, while Israel responded with air strikes, ground operations, and punitive measures including imposing a blockade on the Gaza Strip.
