Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Tuesday discussed over the phone with Sigrid Kaag, the UN’s top coordinator for humanitarian affairs and reconstruction in Gaza, the humanitarian situation in Gaza in light of the obstacles imposed by Israel on aid entry and the worsening humanitarian disaster in the sector.
This came during a phone call received by the Foreign Minister from the UN humanitarian coordinator in Gaza, as part of the ongoing consultation with Egypt before Sigrid Kaag presents her monthly briefing to the Security Council, according to Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the Official Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two sides discussed the status of the humanitarian aid entry process into Gaza and the current situation at the Rafah crossing in light of Israel’s destruction of the Palestinian side of the crossing. They agreed to continue coordination and consultation regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza in the upcoming period.
Shoukry expressed Egypt’s rejection of some elements seizing the humanitarian aid being delivered to Palestinian Rafah and Israel’s failure to protect it and ensure it reaches its intended recipients.
Minister Shoukry was keen to understand the UN official’s assessment of ways and plans to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including the outcomes of her contacts with Israeli officials to ease the restrictions imposed by Israel on the movement of trucks at the crossings.
