Gaza City: Minister of Social Development and Relief, Samah Hamad, held a Zoom meeting yesterday with Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsy, to explore avenues for joint cooperation and strengthen humanitarian efforts to support the Palestinian people. The discussions emphasized enhanced coordination between the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies in providing urgent relief to those affected by the ongoing crisis.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the meeting was conducted within the framework of the government’s emergency operations room for interventions in the southern governorates of Palestine. Dr. Hamad expressed her gratitude to Dr. Morsy for Egypt’s continuous support of Palestine, particularly for the active role of Egypt in sending field teams to the Rafah crossing to deliver critical aid. She also briefed her Egyptian counterpart on the latest developments in the West Bank and the challenges Palestinians are facing due to the recent escalation in violence.
Hamad outlined the government’s efforts through the operations room, which is currently working on securing shelter for families whose homes have been destroyed, clearing debris, and restoring essential services to impacted areas. The discussion also included urgent needs, such as aid held in Al-Arish and ways to facilitate its entry into Gaza to ensure it reaches those in dire need. The Palestinian Minister of Social Development emphasized the necessity of ensuring that aid coming from Egypt is delivered through the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Ministry of Relief, which are the official entities responsible for receiving and distributing assistance within Palestinian territories.
Morsy reaffirmed that the Egyptian Red Crescent is the designated body coordinating the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and she assured continued Egyptian efforts in this regard. Morsy also provided an update on Egypt’s efforts to monitor the conditions of wounded Palestinians from Gaza receiving treatment in Egyptian hospitals. She mentioned that she had personally visited several injured individuals, including children, to check on their health. She emphasized her commitment to closely following up on the status of newly evacuated patients to ensure they receive the necessary care.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Hamad underscored Egypt’s vital role in supporting the Palestinian people during these challenging times, expressing deep appreciation to the Egyptian Red Crescent for its significant efforts in providing urgent relief and for monitoring the conditions of the wounded. Both ministers agreed to hold regular follow-up meetings to ensure continued coordination and effective support for the affected Palestinian communities.
