The 21st "Goodness Ship," operated by the Turkish Red Crescent and carrying 3,300 tons of humanitarian aid, arrived at Egypt's Al-Arish Port on February 21.
Prepared for dispatch to Gaza, the vessel's arrival marks a continued commitment to supporting the Palestinian people during challenging times.
The ship’s cargo includes approximately 175,000 food parcels, hygiene kits, clothing, shelter materials, and other essential life necessities.
Scheduled to reach the region during the Holy Month of Ramadan, this aid aims to meet the urgent needs of Palestinians facing harsh living conditions in Gaza. The relief supplies will be handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent to facilitate their transport into Gaza.
The vessel was received at Al-Arish Port by the Turkish Ambassador to Cairo, Salih Mutlu Şen, alongside the Deputy Secretary-General of the Turkish Red Crescent, Şükrü Can, and the organization’s coordinator in Egypt, Emin Boyraz, in addition to Turkish and Egyptian Red Crescent staff and port and customs officials.
During the reception ceremony, Ambassador Şen reaffirmed Turkey’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people. He noted that this shipment, sent during Ramadan and less than a month after a 1,400-ton shipment on January 2, represents the largest aid vessel dispatched so far.
"The 21st Goodness Ship, which sailed amidst the Ramadan spirit of sharing and compassion, carries more than just relief supplies; it carries the meanings of brotherhood, solidarity, and hope," Şen stated.
Moreover, he emphasized that the joint will demonstrated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi provides the strongest foundation for this process.
Şen also highlighted that through cooperation with Egypt since the start of the crisis, Turkey is executing the largest international humanitarian aid operation in its history.
Furthermore, he expressed gratitude to President el-Sisi and the Egyptian authorities for their vital cooperation.
In addition, Şen mentioned Turkey's involvement in the "Peace Council" alongside Egypt and other brotherly nations.
He also noted that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended a meeting in Washington, chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump, where he expressed Turkey's readiness to mobilize all resources for uninterrupted aid delivery, healthcare services, and reconstruction; including the provision of 20,000 mobile housing units. Currently, 351 mobile shelters and a field hospital are ready for deployment as soon as conditions within Gaza permit.
Moreover, the Turkish Ambassador stressed that Israel must not impose restrictions on the entry of large-scale humanitarian aid and must fulfill all obligations in accordance with the second phase of the peace plan.
With the arrival of this ship, Turkey's total humanitarian aid to Gaza has reached 110,000 tons. This figure does not include hundreds of additional trucks sent by Turkish NGOs in collaboration with Egyptian counterparts.
In a concluding gesture of solidarity, Ambassador Şen announced that the Turkish Embassy, in coordination with Turkish NGOs, will host five large Iftar tables in Cairo for Palestinian families during Ramadan.
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