Latest news with #EgyptianRedCrescent
Al-Ahram Weekly
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt airdrops tons of aid over Gaza: Army spox - Defence
Four Egyptian military transport aircraft took off carrying tons of food aid to conduct airdrop operations over areas in the Gaza Strip that are difficult to access by land, the Egyptian military spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday. The airdrops, which take place in parallel with continued aid deliveries by land, are in implementation of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's directives to provide all forms of support to the Palestinian people. It also comes as part of Egypt's ongoing active efforts and intensive coordination with all parties and international powers to help end the worsening humanitarian crisis facing the population in the Gaza Strip. The airdrop operation aims to alleviate the dire living conditions and acute shortage of humanitarian supplies suffered by Gaza residents, the statement said. Additionally, it comes as part of the state's tireless efforts to deliver thousands of tons of aid in cooperation with other nations—efforts that have seen Egypt contribute nearly 80 percent of the total delivered assistance since the outbreak of the crisis. On Sunday, the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), the national coordination body for aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, launched the 'Zad Al-Ezza: From Egypt to Gaza' humanitarian initiative. This came amid wide global condemnation of Israel's blockade and its mass starvation policy targeting Gaza's population of 2.3 million, pushing them into a famine. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
20 hours ago
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Fourth Egyptian aid convoy reaches Karm Abu Salem as Israel stalls entry into Gaza - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's fourth humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza reached the Karm Abu Salem crossing early Wednesday, after crossing from Rafah amid ongoing Israeli delays that have slowed the entry of life-saving supplies. Dozens of trucks carrying food, medical, and relief materials were seen queuing at the border, awaiting clearance to deliver urgently needed aid to the besieged southern Gaza Strip. According to Al-Qahera News, Egypt has delivered over 4,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Gaza over the past three days, despite bureaucratic and logistical obstacles on the Israeli side. The breakdown includes approximately 1,855 tonnes of food baskets, 1,640 tonnes of flour, 400 tonnes of personal care items, and 150 tonnes of medical aid. Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) officials reported that Israeli authorities delayed the entry of the fourth convoy, citing concerns that some truckloads were 'unbalanced.' Several trucks were forced to return to the Egyptian side to adjust cargo or reattempt entry the following day. The ERC, which is coordinating national humanitarian relief efforts for Gaza, launched its first convoy, named Zad El-Ezza: From Egypt to Gaza, on Sunday. That initial shipment included more than 100 trucks carrying 1,200 tonnes of supplies, primarily flour and food parcels. On Monday, the second convoy crossed into Gaza carrying around 1,500 tonnes of aid, followed by the third convoy on Tuesday with roughly 1,300 tonnes. Combined, the three convoys delivered critical food and medical support, including 440 tonnes of food baskets, 450 tonnes of flour, 150 tonnes of medications, and 200 tonnes of hygiene items. Since the beginning of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, Egypt says it has facilitated the entry of more than 35,000 aid trucks, delivering over 500,000 tonnes of humanitarian relief. However, international organizations have repeatedly warned that Israel's blockade and restrictions on aid access continue to worsen conditions on the ground, starving the Strip's 2.4 million population to death. The ERC, operating with a volunteer base of 35,000 across its logistics hubs, remains a central actor in Egypt's broader response to the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Aid groups have emphasized the urgency of sustained access and called for the immediate removal of obstructions to humanitarian delivery. Starvation crisis and aid access The delivery of Egyptian aid comes amid mounting international alarm over Gaza's deepening famine, exacerbated by Israel's ongoing blockade and bombardment. For over four months, humanitarian agencies and food security experts have warned that famine is imminent. The United Nations (UN) estimates that 600 to 800 aid trucks are needed daily to sustain life in the territory, numbers that remain far out of reach. Since October 2023, Israel's genocidal war on Gaza has killed over 60,000 Palestinians—primarily women and children—and injured over 144,000 others, with many still buried under rubble. But hunger has emerged as a second front of devastation. Images of severely emaciated children, many of whom have been killed by the manufactured famine engineered by Israel, have triggered growing backlash from Tel Aviv's allies, including the US, and sparked calls for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. The context of the alert is stark: one in three people is now going without food for days at a time, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said this week. Hospitals, already decimated by bombing and supply shortages, have treated more than 20,000 children for acute malnutrition since April. At least 16 children under five have died from hunger-related causes in the last two weeks. In recent days, at least five infants died from hunger-related causes. More than 900,000 children in Gaza are now suffering from hunger, and 70,000 have entered the stage of clinical malnutrition, putting them at imminent risk of death. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt 3rd aid convoy heads to Gaza with 1,300 tons of supplies - Foreign Affairs
The Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) announced Tuesday that the third humanitarian aid convoy is on its way to the southern Gaza Strip via the Karm Abu Salem crossing, carrying around 1,300 tons of urgent food, medical, and relief supplies. According to an ERC statement, the convoy includes around 440 tons of food baskets, 450 tons of flour, 150 tons of medical supplies, and roughly 200 tons of personal care items. On Sunday, the ERC, the national coordination body for aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, launched its first aid convoy to Gaza after months of Israeli blockade. The first convoy, named the 'Zad Al-Ezza: From Egypt to Gaza,' consisted of over 100 trucks, carrying over 1,200 tons of food supplies, including around 840 tons of flour and 450 tons of food baskets. On Monday, Egypt dispatched its second convoy to Gaza, comprising 135 trucks loaded with more than 1,500 tons of aid, including 965 tons of food baskets, 350 tons of flour, and 200 tons of personal care items. The ERC's efforts come as part of Egypt's steadfast support for the Palestinian people amid the ongoing famine in Gaza, aiming to alleviate their suffering exacerbated by the Israeli genocidal war and around five months of blockade. The ERC, supported by 35,000 volunteers, is working tirelessly across all logistics hubs to ensure a steady flow of aid into Gaza. Since 7 October 2023, the ERC has delivered 35,000 aid trucks to the Gaza Strip, carrying over 500,000 tons of direly needed humanitarian assistance. These include food, water, medicines, medical equipment, relief supplies, hygiene kits, shelter materials, baby formula and diapers, as well as ambulances and fuel trucks. Although Israel announced on Saturday a "tactical pause" in its military operations in parts of Gaza to allow the deliveries of humanitarian aid convoys to the strip, it bizarrely continued its attacks, killing more civilians. Meanwhile, the Israeli army allowed the resumption of air-dropping aid into the Gaza Strip. "The air-dropping of aid would not end the mass starvation in Gaza, caused by months of Israeli blockade on food and supplies," said Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). According to a previous UN estimation, 600-800 humanitarian aid trucks are needed daily to keep the Gaza population alive. The delivery of aid convoys came after a broad global condemnation of Israel's policies of mass starvation and blockade, which pushed Gaza's 2.3 million population into a catastrophic famine. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
5th Convoy of Humanitarian Aid Trucks Moves from Egypt to Gaza via Kerem Abu Salem
Ahmed Emam The fifth convoy of humanitarian aid trucks has departed from Egypt toward the Gaza Strip, continuing Egypt's ongoing efforts to deliver vital relief to Palestinians amid the ongoing crisis. The aid operation began early Monday at around 6 a.m., with trucks entering through a side gate on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border. From there, they are directed toward the Kerem Abu Salem crossing—currently the only functioning entry point for aid into Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli military control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. Each convoy includes between 10 and 15 trucks loaded with essential supplies such as food, medicine, and other relief items. The Egyptian Red Crescent has been overseeing the process, organizing trucks based on the sender organizations and ensuring an orderly, systematic entry to facilitate faster clearance and reduce delays. The Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing remains operational. However, the Palestinian gate has been closed since it was taken over by Israeli forces on May 7, turning the crossing area into a closed military zone and effectively halting the movement of people and medical evacuees. In response to the closure, Egypt constructed an alternative gate leading directly to the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, about four kilometers from Rafah. Aid trucks are now rerouted through this path before proceeding into Gaza. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi recently stated that Gaza needs between 600 and 700 trucks per day to meet humanitarian needs. At the onset of the crisis, around 500–600 trucks entered daily. However, following the closure of Rafah's Palestinian gate, aid flow dropped to just 20–30 trucks per day via Kerem Abu Salem. That figure has since increased to between 130 and 180 trucks daily over the past three days. The Egyptian Red Crescent has deployed approximately 35,000 volunteers along the route from El Arish to Rafah to provide logistical support and respond swiftly to any obstacles. Despite this, Israeli authorities frequently delay the entry of aid for what have been described as "unreasonable" reasons—including the presence of candy in trucks carrying food supplies. Red Crescent teams have since developed the experience necessary to reorganize cargo to comply with Israeli restrictions. Current aid shipments include flour, food baskets with rice, pasta, canned goods, biscuits, sweets for children, and materials to support the repair of essential infrastructure such as water pipes and storage tanks. To streamline operations, Egypt has established multiple logistical hubs, the most notable being the 'Dergham' zone. This facility can accommodate up to 20,000 trucks and is equipped with accommodations for drivers, as well as systems for inspecting, sorting, and barcoding supplies before dispatching them—ensuring compliance with pre-agreed delivery lists. The ongoing Egyptian-led humanitarian effort reflects a critical lifeline for Gaza's population amid continuing restrictions and limited access to essential goods. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt 2nd humanitarian aid convoy enters Gaza with 1,500-ton supplies - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's second convoy passed through the Karm Abu Salem crossing on its way to Gaza, carrying 1,500 tons of food and personal care supplies. The second convoy, organized by the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) and the National Alliance for Civil Development Work (NACDW), was rerouted a few kilometres to the nearby Karm Abu Salem crossing, operated by Israel, to be inspected before being allowed into southern Gaza. According to the ERC, the convoy comprises 135 trucks carrying approximately 1,500 tons of aid. It consists of 965 tons of food packs, around 350 tons of flour, and 200 tons of personal care supplies. An Al-Qahera News reporter, standing in front of the Rafah crossing, quoted ERC officials as confirming that each pack of food can sustain a seven-member family from seven to 10 days. On Sunday, ERC and NACDW launched their first aid convoy to Gaza after months of blockade. The convoy, named Zad Al-Ezza: From Egypt to Gaza, consisted of over 100 trucks, carrying 1,200 tons of food supplies, including approximately 840 tons of flour and 450 tons of food baskets. On Saturday, Israel announced a limited tactical pause in its military operations in parts of Gaza to allow the delivery of aid to starving Palestinians. This came after a joint statement by 25 Western countries and the EU's crisis commissioner on Monday, calling for an immediate end to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza. The joint statement condemned the Israeli army's aid delivery model, which exacerbated the mass starvation in Gaza. It also warned against any further attempts aimed at forced displacement or settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories. The passage of the two convoys follows global outrage over Israel's five-month blockade and the 'flour massacres' committed by the occupation army at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) aid distribution centres. Since May, over 1,000 aid-seeking Palestinians have been killed at these US- and Israeli-backed aid hubs. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
