CAIRO – 18 January 2025: The ministers of health and social solidarity conducted inspections at El-Arish General Hospital in North Sinai, as well as the strategic warehouse of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) and the logistical center supporting Gaza, in anticipation of an upcoming ceasefire.
Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar and Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy reviewed the readiness of food and relief supplies and participated in packing food items for shipment to the Gaza Strip.
The ERC is responsible for receiving all shipments bound for Gaza, which arrive by land, sea, and air.
Egypt has emphasized the readiness of its hospitals in North Sinai and neighboring governorates to receive Palestinians in need of medical treatment through the Rafah border crossing.
Abdel Ghaffar held a meeting with ministry leaders on Friday to stress the importance of ensuring medical preparedness at all healthcare facilities when the crossing opens.
He called for the highest quality health services to be provided to the Palestinians.
To facilitate this, Abdel Ghaffar directed an increase in the number of medical teams in emergency care departments and an enhancement of medical equipment in hospitals located in Arish, Bir Al-Abd, and Sheikh Zuweid in North Sinai.
The minister reassured that hospitals have adequate stocks of medicines, medical supplies, and blood types, while preparations for relief work in the Gaza Strip are ongoing.
He also highlighted the heavy deployment of ambulance points to ensure a swift medical response.
The world is eagerly anticipating the moment on Sunday morning when Israel is expected to implement the ceasefire in Gaza, following more than 15 months of conflict.
The phased agreement, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, aims to halt the Israeli military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in nearly 46,900 fatalities and over 110,700 injuries since the conflict began on October 7, 2023.
The deal is expected to secure the release of around 94 captives still held by Hamas, about one-third of whom are presumed dead, including 33 during the first phase, which lasts 42 days.
In exchange, Israel will release more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners, according to a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry on Saturday.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, 600 truckloads of aid are set to be delivered to Gaza daily during the first phase. Among these trucks, 50 will be carrying fuel.
Half of the 600 aid trucks will head to northern Gaza, where a famine is looming.
Sources informed Egypt Today that 1,000 truckloads are ready to move from Arish to enter Gaza once the ceasefire begins.
Be Social
Comments
Leave a Comment