Ashraf AboArafe
Mr ambassador mbassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesman and Director of the Public Diplomacy Department at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FA), stated that Mr. Sameh Shukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a phone call on June 25 from Ms. Sigrid Kach, the United Nations Chief Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
The official spokesman for the Foreign Ministry stated that the call came within the framework of keenness to consult with Egypt before the UN official presented her monthly briefing to the Security Council, where he addressed the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip in light of the obstacles that Israel places on the entry of aid and the increasing severity of the humanitarian disaster in the Strip.
Minister Shukri was keen to learn about the UN official’s assessment of ways and plans to mitigate the severity of the severe humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, including the results of her contacts with Israeli officials to ease the burden of restrictions imposed by Israel on the movement of trucks at the crossings.
Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid explained that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the UN official discussed the position of the process of bringing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and the current situation of the Rafah crossing in light of Israel’s destruction of the Palestinian side of the crossing. Minister Shukri also expressed Egypt’s rejection of some elements seizing the humanitarian aid that is being brought into Rafah. The Palestinian side, and the Israeli side’s lack of commitment to protect it and ensure that it reaches those who deserve it.
The official spokesman concluded his statements by noting the agreement of the Foreign Minister and the UN official to continue coordination and consultation regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip during the next stage.
