Observers and international organisations are lauding Egypt’s efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza and offering medical treatment to injured victims from the war-torn Palestinian territory, almost 100 days on Israel’s devastating onslaught on it.
Arab League Assistant Secretary-General, Haifa Abu Ghazala, said Egypt has been “tirelessly coordinating” the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza since the first day of the Israeli aggression.
In a recent symposium held in Cairo, she accused Israel of preventing the entry of adequate humanitarian aid to Gaza and cutting off electricity, water, and communications in it.
Meanwhile, senior United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the Palestinian Territories, Sigrid Kaag, praised Egyptian efforts in aiding Gaza.
She said she was impressed by the Egyptian government’s commitment to providing assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza.
“I have seen the efforts of the Egyptian government to facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance to Gaza first-hand,” Kaag, who was on a visit to Egypt this week, said in a statement.
Egypt has allowed the entry of over 9,000 trucks of humanitarian aid to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, including 7,000 tonnes of medical supplies, 50,000 tonnes of food, 20,000 tonnes of water, 1,000 tents and candles, 11,000 tonnes of other relief supplies, and 88 new ambulances, according to the State Information Service (SIS), the media arm of the Egyptian presidency.
Egypt also allowed the entry of 4,500 tonnes of fuel and household gas, it said in a statement.
It noted that Egypt has also received 1,210 wounded Gaza residents who arrived here for medical treatment at the nation’s hospitals and medical facilities, along with 1,085 people accompanying these injured victims.
Egypt has allowed the entry of 23,000 people, including Palestinians, foreign nationals, and dual nationals, as well as 2,623 Egyptians who were stranded in Gaza, SIS said.
It estimated Egypt’s contribution to humanitarian aid for Gaza, from the government, private sector, and individual donations, at almost 82% of the total aid entered into the Palestinian territory.
SIS Chief, Diaa Rashwan, highlighted Egypt’s commitment to maintaining efforts to accelerate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza and increase that assistance to help alleviate the unprecedented humanitarian crisis facing its residents.
Gaza is home to over 2 million people who are badly in need of humanitarian assistance against the background of the war.
The territory has been under a crippling blockade by Israel since 2007.