UNSC Delegation Visits Arish, Rafah to Follow Up on Humanitarian Efforts Provided to Gaza

A high-ranking delegation from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) visited on Monday to the cities of Arish and Rafah to oversee the progress of the humanitarian aid and medical operations provided to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The visit was coordinated between the missions of Egypt and the UAE to the UN as part of the latter’s current membership in the UN Security Council.

The delegation inspected the aid and humanitarian efforts carried out by the Egyptian Red Crescent, as well as the medical support provided to Palestinian casualties.

In a post on X, UNCR Elina Panova, who welcomed the delegation at the Arish International Airport, said: “Relief efforts would not have been possible without the Government of Egypt, Red Crescent, and the generosity of the Egyptian people who provided half of all aid.”

The delegation also examined the obstacles imposed by the Israeli side on the entry of aid trucks and the evacuation of casualties from the Rafah crossing, which has led to the congestion of aid trucks hindering their entry into the strip.

The visit comes at a crucial time when the UN Security Council, unfortunately, remains incapable of making a decision to cease fire in the Gaza Strip, putting an end to the continuous targeting of civilians, according to a statement released by the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The UNSC has been discussing an Arab-Islamic draft resolution, formulated by Egypt, which calls for launching an effective mechanism allowing the smooth entry of aid into Gaza and providing solutions to the obstacles imposed by Israel, the statement noted.

The Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) stated on Sunday the delivery of over 100 trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including food, water, and medical supplies, to its Palestinian counterpart for distribution to the under-siege residents of Gaza.

Since the start of the Israeli war and blockade on Gaza on 7 October, Egypt has provided 11,200 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, including water, food, medicines, medical equipment, mattresses, and tents.