Egypt Denounces Israel's Attacks on Aid Workers, Facilities in Gaza

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration Badr Abdelatty denounced Israel's attacks on aid workers and their facilities in Gaza, which obstruct their efforts and force them to suspend relief operations, especially amid the increasing humanitarian needs in the strip.

 This came during his meeting with the United Nations Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag in Cairo, where Abdelatty stressed the importance of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as the cornerstone of humanitarian response efforts in Gaza

The Egyptian official assured Egypt's cooperation with Kaag for the swift and unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Abdelatty affirmed Egypt's willingness to coordinate efforts for implementing UN Security Council Resolution No. 2720 regarding aid delivery to alleviate the Palestinian people's suffering in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

He expressed deep concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza after 10 months of systematic Israeli attacks and aggression against Palestinians, citing widespread violations of international law and international humanitarian law.

Abdelatty assured Kaag that Egypt has been working tirelessly to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing since the conflict began. However, military escalation in Rafah and Israeli control over the Palestinian side of the crossing have halted the entry of aid. Abdelatty stressed the importance of Israeli forces' withdrawal from Rafah and the Palestinian Authority (PA) managing the crossing.

Abdelatty urged Kaag to identify the challenges hindering the entry and distribution of aid in Gaza and find effective solutions as per UNSC Resolution No. 2720. . 

He also emphasized the role of the PA in facilitating the UN official's work and carrying out any early reconstruction arrangements in Gaza.

The discussions included a detailed assessment of various aid delivery methods, with Abdelatty reaffirming Egypt's commitment to ongoing coordination with the UN official. Both sides agreed to maintain consultations in the coming period.