Latest news with #Hegazy
Egypt Today
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Macron's visit to Egypt 'of great importance' amid deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza: Amb. Hegazy
Macron received by President Sisi during his visit to Cairo - file CAIRO - 7 April 2025: Former Assistant Foreign Minister Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy, stressed that French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Egypt is of great importance to both countries, in statements he made commenting on the visit. He said that the visit comes at a particularly dangerous and sensitive time, given the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, the fierce war against the people of the Gaza Strip, and its impact on the security and stability of the Middle East. In a statement to the Middle East News Agency (MENA) on Monday, Ambassador Hegazy said that this visit represents a high-level diplomatic initiative in light of the tripartite summit bringing together the leaders of Egypt and Jordan with the French President to discuss the dangers threatening the Palestinian cause, most notably Israel's attempts to expel Palestinians from their land as part of a forced displacement plan. Hegazy also discussed the Egyptian-Arab plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. He also highlighted the bilateral dimension of the visit and the importance of the meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his French counterpart. The two leaders will discuss the possibility of advancing the Gaza reconstruction plan—which France has welcomed—along with the international reconstruction conference that Egypt intends to hold this month in cooperation with the United Nations and regional and international partners. They will also discuss the governance and management of the Gaza Strip and security, in preparation for the international conference that France and Saudi Arabia will co-chair at the United Nations to discuss the two-state solution next June. Ambassador Hegazy further stressed that there are several pressing issues for both countries. President El-Sisi and Macron's talks are expected to address the situations in Libya, Sudan, Lebanon, and Syria, in addition to cooperation on terrorism and illegal immigration. He noted that the French President has a busy and intensive agenda in Egypt, which began with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, as well as his important visit to Cairo University, where he will deliver an important speech, and participate in the Egyptian-French Universities Forum. Hegazy emphasized the importance of President Macron's upcoming visit to the city of Arish and its port, near the Rafah crossing. This visit sends a clear message underscoring the importance of working to deliver humanitarian aid to address the situation, which the French presidency has described as a humanitarian disaster, and to call for a ceasefire. He also noted that Macron will meet with members of the Egyptian Red Crescent and French forces operating within the European Union Border Monitoring Mission, which will be redeployed. Ambassador Hegazy noted that the French president attaches great importance to the resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries to the people of Gaza. The French President will also call for a return to calm and stability, a ceasefire, and immediate action to release the hostages, Hegazy added. Hegazy also explained that the two presidents will witness the signing of several agreements between the two countries in various fields, particularly transportation and health, as well as a new health memorandum of understanding aimed at assisting in the treatment of Palestinians evacuated from Gaza since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023. Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy highlighted the high-level delegation accompanying the French President in Egypt, considering this large delegation, which includes the ministers of foreign affairs, defense, economy, health, transportation, and scientific research, to be the most important in the history of relations between the two countries. "It carries significance related to the strategic level reached by Egyptian-French relations and the desire to continue to advance them toward broader horizons," Ambassador Hegazy said, adding that an agreement will be announced to launch an enhanced strategic partnership between the two countries in various fields. Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy concluded his remarks by saying that Egypt, along with its regional and international partners, led by France, "is playing a pivotal role in saving the region and restoring its security and stability by halting the Palestinian bloodshed, deterring Israel from genocidalizing and oppressing the Palestinian people, thwarting its displacement plan to liquidate the Palestinian cause, and launching a process that leads to reconstruction and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, a path on which both Egypt and France agree."
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
As Ramadan comes to a close, Palestinians say finding and affording food in Gaza a challenge
As Muslims in Gaza prepare to mark Eid this weekend and the end of the holy month of Ramadan, families say they're barely making ends meet, with no food entering the territory for nearly a month. Rania Hegazy, 38, who is currently sheltering in a tent in Gaza City with her husband and three children, was ordered by the Israeli army to evacuate Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza last week. "We're living on canned food. There is no clean water or proper hygiene," Hegazy told CBC News freelance videographer Mohamed El Saife on Thursday from the tent encampment. "Last Ramadan was bad, but this one is even worse." Nearly one month after Israel imposed a complete blockade on all aid and goods entering into Gaza, humanitarian organizations say their food supplies are dwindling as food prices are soaring. Hegazy said finding food to feed her family becomes more and more challenging each day, especially during Ramadan — a holy month where millions of Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset as a form of worship. "It's been more than a year and a half of us being forced to move from one place to another. My children have suffered a lot," she said. Mansoura Marouf breaks her fast with rice and beans along with a salad and pita bread Thursday, with her husband in a tent camp in Gaza City. Like many Palestinians in Gaza, they are relying on canned food and the little produce being shared by their neighbours. (Mohamed El Saife/CBC) Eid — which literally translates to the celebration of breaking fast in Arabic and marks the end of Ramadan — is expected to arrive on Sunday. Hegazy says she has trouble knowing what to tell her children — who are between four and six years old — when they ask for clothes or toys. "Eid? There's no Eid. "My daughter asks me for a new outfit for Eid … something simple, a blouse or dress, but I am unable to get that for her," she says, wiping away tears. Last year, the family was sheltering in northern Gaza where much of the population was ordered to flee to the south due to the heavy Israeli bombardment. Hegazy says they break their fast with whatever they can find — oftentimes that's rice with some kind of canned food. On Thursday it was rice with beans next to a bowl of macaroni that another family in their tent encampment brought over to share with them. "Today, we found a portion of rice, and thank God we did," she said. "During Ramadan last year, we could not find rice to eat — there was mass starvation." Prices of food soar as supplies dwindle Israel resumed bombing and ground operations in Gaza last week, breaking a two-month-old ceasefire amid rows over terms for extending it. Two weeks before, it reimposed a ban on humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. It says the measures are meant to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to seize territory in Gaza if the militant group refuses to return them. Hegazi said before the war, families would typically hold gatherings and make meals during Ramadan — mostly with meats, salads and soups. She said they would prepare fruit platters and qatayef — a Middle Eastern dessert similar to a small pancake — often stuffed with cheese, cream or nuts, then fried or baked and drenched with syrup. But prices of all foods have soared across the Gaza Strip since the blockade began. Her husband, like many in Gaza, is unemployed, she says, with no way of making money during the war. "Their father is sitting here. There's no work. There's nothing, we're just sitting here forced to move from one place to the next." WATCH | Families say finding and affording food in Gaza becoming more challenging: "I'm craving a salad and we can't even buy a cucumber or a tomato. But thanks to God for everything, what matters most is that my family is safe." According to the the World Food Programme (WFP), the price of a 25-kilogram bag of wheat flour sells for up to $71 — a 400 per cent increase compared to prices before March 18. Children drawing food in the sand Last year, Palestinian Muslims in Gaza were in a similar predicament — under ongoing Israeli bombardment and scraping enough food together for Iftar during Ramadan, as supplies in the besieged enclave ran dangerously low. Since Israeli airstrikes resumed last week, at least 855 Palestinians have been killed and 1,869 injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Over half of those killed were women and children, the ministry says. Abubaker Abed, a Palestinian freelance journalist, said children in Gaza are so hungry that they are drawing pictures of food in the sand. "My friend told me today that he keeps watching food videos because he wishes to have a plate of meat or fish," Abed wrote in a post on X Tuesday. Marouf, 52, sits with her husband to break their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in the tent encampment they are sheltering in Thursday in Gaza City. (Mohamed El Saife/CBC) Thousands of Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and abducting 251 hostages into Gaza. Fifty-nine hostages are still being held there, with 24 of them believed to be alive. The Israeli campaign in response has killed more than 49,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, with thousands more believed to still be under the rubble. Gazans again at risk of severe hunger, malnutrition Hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza are again at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition as humanitarian food stocks in the enclave dwindle, with no aid getting through the borders, WFP said in a news release Thursday. The United Nations agency said it has approximately 5,700 tonnes of food stock left in Gaza, enough to support its operations for two weeks at most. "With the deteriorating security situation, rapid displacement of people, and growing needs, WFP has decided to distribute as much food as possible, as quickly as possible in Gaza," WFP said. Palestinians receive bags of flour and other humanitarian aid distributed by UNRWA, the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees in Jabaliya, Gaza, on March 25. (Jehad Alshrafi/The Associated Press) The agency said it currently supports bakeries making bread, kitchens cooking hot meals, and the distribution of food parcels directly to families, which are all facing "record low" stock inside Gaza. Mansoura Marouf, sheltering in the same tent encampment in Gaza City with her husband, said they have been relying on neighbours who are sharing food with other families. Early on in the war, the 52-year-old lost her only two sons, who between them left behind seven now-orphaned children. "This is the second Ramadan we break fast in the streets, our backs are broken," Marouf said, who also hails from Beit Lahiya and was ordered to evacuate last week. "My children died and we've been left scrambling for shelter. This Ramadan is just dark. This Eid is dark."
CBC
29-03-2025
- General
- CBC
As Ramadan comes to a close, Palestinians say finding and affording food in Gaza a challenge
Social Sharing As Muslims in Gaza prepare to mark Eid this weekend and the end of the holy month of Ramadan, families say they're barely making ends meet, with no food entering the territory for nearly a month. Rania Hegazy, 38, who is currently sheltering in a tent in Gaza City with her husband and three children, was ordered by the Israeli army to evacuate Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza last week. "We're living on canned food. There is no clean water or proper hygiene," Hegazy told CBC News freelance videographer Mohamed El Saife on Thursday from the tent encampment. "Last Ramadan was bad, but this one is even worse." Nearly one month after Israel imposed a complete blockade on all aid and goods entering into Gaza, humanitarian organizations say their food supplies are dwindling as food prices are soaring. Hegazy said finding food to feed her family becomes more and more challenging each day, especially during Ramadan — a holy month where millions of Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset as a form of worship. "It's been more than a year and a half of us being forced to move from one place to another. My children have suffered a lot," she said. Eid — which literally translates to the celebration of breaking fast in Arabic and marks the end of Ramadan — is expected to arrive on Sunday. Hegazy says she has trouble knowing what to tell her children — who are between four and six years old — when they ask for clothes or toys. "Eid? There's no Eid. "My daughter asks me for a new outfit for Eid … something simple, a blouse or dress, but I am unable to get that for her," she says, wiping away tears. Last year, the family was sheltering in northern Gaza where much of the population was ordered to flee to the south due to the heavy Israeli bombardment. Hegazy says they break their fast with whatever they can find — oftentimes that's rice with some kind of canned food. On Thursday it was rice with beans next to a bowl of macaroni that another family in their tent encampment brought over to share with them. "Today, we found a portion of rice, and thank God we did," she said. "During Ramadan last year, we could not find rice to eat — there was mass starvation." Prices of food soar as supplies dwindle Israel resumed bombing and ground operations in Gaza last week, breaking a two-month-old ceasefire amid rows over terms for extending it. Two weeks before, it reimposed a ban on humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. It says the measures are meant to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to seize territory in Gaza if the militant group refuses to return them. Hegazi said before the war, families would typically hold gatherings and make meals during Ramadan — mostly with meats, salads and soups. She said they would prepare fruit platters and qatayef — a Middle Eastern dessert similar to a small pancake — often stuffed with cheese, cream or nuts, then fried or baked and drenched with syrup. But prices of all foods have soared across the Gaza Strip since the blockade began. Her husband, like many in Gaza, is unemployed, she says, with no way of making money during the war. "Their father is sitting here. There's no work. There's nothing, we're just sitting here forced to move from one place to the next." WATCH | Families say finding and affording food in Gaza becoming more challenging: Nearly one month after Israel imposed a complete blockade on goods entering Gaza, families fasting for the holy month of Ramadan say finding food has been a struggle amid dwindling supplies and soaring prices. "I'm craving a salad and we can't even buy a cucumber or a tomato. But thanks to God for everything, what matters most is that my family is safe." According to the the World Food Programme (WFP), the price of a 25-kilogram bag of wheat flour sells for up to $71 — a 400 per cent increase compared to prices before March 18. Children drawing food in the sand Last year, Palestinian Muslims in Gaza were in a similar predicament — under ongoing Israeli bombardment and scraping enough food together for Iftar during Ramadan, as supplies in the besieged enclave ran dangerously low. Since Israeli airstrikes resumed last week, at least 855 Palestinians have been killed and 1,869 injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Over half of those killed were women and children, the ministry says. Abubaker Abed, a Palestinian freelance journalist, said children in Gaza are so hungry that they are drawing pictures of food in the sand. "My friend told me today that he keeps watching food videos because he wishes to have a plate of meat or fish," Abed wrote in a post on X Tuesday. Thousands of Hamas-led gunmen attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and abducting 251 hostages into Gaza. Fifty-nine hostages are still being held there, with 24 of them believed to be alive. The Israeli campaign in response has killed more than 49,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, with thousands more believed to still be under the rubble. Gazans again at risk of severe hunger, malnutrition Hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza are again at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition as humanitarian food stocks in the enclave dwindle, with no aid getting through the borders, WFP said in a news release Thursday. The United Nations agency said it has approximately 5,700 tonnes of food stock left in Gaza, enough to support its operations for two weeks at most. "With the deteriorating security situation, rapid displacement of people, and growing needs, WFP has decided to distribute as much food as possible, as quickly as possible in Gaza," WFP said. The agency said it currently supports bakeries making bread, kitchens cooking hot meals, and the distribution of food parcels directly to families, which are all facing "record low" stock inside Gaza. Mansoura Marouf, sheltering in the same tent encampment in Gaza City with her husband, said they have been relying on neighbours who are sharing food with other families. Early on in the war, the 52-year-old lost her only two sons, who between them left behind seven now-orphaned children. "This is the second Ramadan we break fast in the streets, our backs are broken," Marouf said, who also hails from Beit Lahiya and was ordered to evacuate last week.
Arab Times
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Hegazy makes winning start as Kuwait Club routs Al-Salmiya
KUWAIT CITY, March 25: New Al-Ameed handball coach Saeed Hegazy successfully made his debut by leading the Kuwait Club to a dominant 44-32 victory over Al-Salmiya in the 12th round of the "Merged' League at Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Hall. Hegazy, who replaced Haitham Al-Rashidi, is no stranger to Kuwait Club, having previously coached the team for several years, during which he secured multiple league and cup titles. Despite already securing a Premier League qualification spot, Kuwait Club faces a crucial test in the 13th and final round of the preliminary stage against Kazma. The Whites will be eager to avenge their only domestic defeat this season while also aiming to clinch the Super Handball title against the league leader. Kuwait Club currently leads the standings with 24 points (a perfect record), followed by Kazma (21 points), Burgan (19 points), Al-Arabi (16 points), Sulaibikhat (14 points), and Al-Salmiya (14 points). The rest of the standings include: Al-Qurain – 12 points, Al-Qadsiya – 12 points, Khaitan – 8 points, Al-Fahaheel – 8 points, Al-Tadamon – 3 points, Al-Yarmouk – 2 points, Al-Sahel – 0 points. Al-Qadsiya vs. Al-Sahel (9:00 pm): A must-win for Al-Qadisiya, who still has an outside chance of reaching the Premier League, but only if Al-Salmiya loses to Khaitan and Al-Qurain loses to Burgan—along with Al-Qadsiya securing a 26-goal margin win over Al-Sahel. Al-Qurain vs. Burgan (10:30 pm): This is A crucial match that could impact the final standings.
CairoScene
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Bascota Exhibit Pays Homage to Iconic Egyptian Photojournalist
Bascota Exhibit Pays Homage to Iconic Egyptian Photojournalist Bascota, Egypt's farm to table destination for all things baked, is hosting a photo gallery to pay homage to the late Omar Hegazy, one of Egypt's most influential photojournalists to date. 'Cairo– 12/04/1990' is put on display in Bascota's Living Room gallery at EDNC, the restaurant's extension dedicated to showcasing Egypt's photographers and the creative minds behind it in a more domestic setting. The exhibition pays tribute to the legacy of Mohamed Hegazy, a photojournalist at Al-Ahram that covered Egypt's diverse sectors of life, including sports, youth, arts and entertainment. Hegazy rose through the ranks of Al-Ahram from an internship in 1990, all the way to the position of Photography Department manager. The photojournalist did so all the while being Editor in Chief of Nefs El Dunia, a monthly women's and political magazine. Hegazy captured Egypt's events and people of the 1990s. His portfolio is broad, to say the least. Some of his work include photographs of celebrities like Nour El Sherif, Mohamed Sobhy, a young Dr. Magdy Yacoub and Naguib Mahfouz. But many knew Sobhy for his street photography. The photojournalist seemed to have a fascination over Cairo's dichotomy of chaos and simplicity, all of which helped shape the unique culture many people associate with Egypt today. Hegazy passed away in 2020. His photos have since been displayed in exhibitions in Austria, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan through the efforts of his son, Aly Hegazy. His photos will also be for sale, although they will be showcased for a limited time before the collection changes. Bascota offers artisanal baked goods, fresh juices, and sandwiches, all the while paying homage to Egypt's traditional heritage through a farm to table practice. They consider themselves more than a brand, but rather, a platform for locals to come together to indulge into Egypt's rich and extensive history and the people that help shape it - whether that history is expressed through bakery or photography. Bascota was created by Amir Fayo, a known Egyptian brand architect based out of New York. Aside from Bascota, Fayo founded popular stores like Maison 69 and Maison Babushka. All of these stores operate under 69 Group, which Fayo founded to create immersive cultural retail spaces around the country.
