US delegation arrives in Arish, monitors Egypt's efforts in aid transfer to Gaza

CAIRO - 5 January 2024: On Friday, Mohamed Abdel Fadil Shousha, Governor of North Sinai, received a high-level American delegation upon their arrival at Arish International Airport. The meeting was attended by Major General Mostafa Mohamed Mostafa, Head of the Governor's Office, Dr. Tarek Shoukka, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Khaled Zaid, Head of the Egyptian Red Crescent branch in North Sinai, and Lotfi Ghaith, Director of Operations at the Egyptian Red Crescent.

The delegation includes Senator Christopher Van Hollen and Senator Jeff Merkley, members of the Democratic Party in the US Senate, and Herro Mustafa Garq, the US Ambassador to Cairo, along with their accompanying delegation.

During their visit to North Sinai, the delegation will visit the Egyptian Red Crescent warehouses in Arish to inspect various aid and storage methods. They will also visit the Rafah border crossing to inspect humanitarian, food, and shelter aid trucks destined for Gaza.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the American delegation yesterday in the presence of Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The official spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Ahmed Fahmy, stated that the meeting is part of ongoing consultations between Egypt and the United States at various levels, particularly in light of the current regional situation, especially in Gaza.

The American side was keen to hear the President's vision of the overall context of the current situation, including the emphasis on the need for a ceasefire, the exchange of detainees and prisoners, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and relief for displaced civilians. This comes as part of a serious international consensus to achieve a fair and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Both sides reiterated their firm rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their lands, in addition to the necessity of working to calm the situation in the region as a whole, strengthening the foundations of security and stability at both the regional and international levels.

The American side praised Egypt's historical role in this regard, along with its current dedicated efforts as a force working for peace, stability, and development.