Latest news with #Megawer
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
North Sinai governor defends Egypt's stance on Rafah crossing, rejects claims of neglecting Gaza - Foreign Affairs
North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer on Friday defended Egypt's handling of the Rafah border crossing, pushing back against accusations that Cairo has arbitrarily closed the crossing or failed to support Palestinians in Gaza. In an interview with Sada El-Balad TV, Megawer said Egypt operates 'within the framework of international laws and agreements' and stressed that its decisions are shaped by national and regional security considerations. 'There are international regulations and treaties, as well as regional security considerations in the Middle East that must be taken into account,' Megawer said, responding to recent public demands to 'open the Rafah crossing by force.' 'We are managing a sovereign state with utmost courage and wisdom,' he added. 'I will not jeopardize Egypt's security and thereby cause the collapse of the state, the Middle East and the whole Arab world to satisfy reckless demands.' Megawer dismissed what he called widespread misconceptions about the crossing, arguing that Egypt cannot be expected to force it open unilaterally. 'Should we go to war then? And with whom? The US?' he asked. 'Egypt has already fought four conventional wars and battled terrorism for 11 years, enduring significant economic hardship,' he said. He stressed that no one has the 'right' to question or undermine Egypt's 'commitment or sacrifices.' Megawer also recalled President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's early stance against the forced displacement of Palestinians following the start of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023. 'Even when US President Donald Trump spoke about the relocation of Palestinian population to Egypt or Jordan, Egypt has reaffirmed its stance: we will not displace the Palestinian people,' he said. Israel's control over crossings The governor also sought to clarify the status of various crossings into Gaza, underscoring that many are under Israeli control. 'There are multiple crossings to Gaza with the Israeli side,' Megawer said, citing Beit Hanoun for individual travel to the occupied West Bank and Karm Abu Salem for humanitarian aid—both controlled by Israel. He added that crossings like Sufa, Nahal Oz, and Karni were closed by Israel between 2008 and 2010. 'The Rafah crossing in southern Gaza is for individuals only and has never been shut by Egypt,' he said. However, he noted that the crossing has two components—one controlled by Egypt and the other by Palestinians. The latter, he said, is currently 'shut by Israel.' 'During ceasefires, the Palestinian Authority (PA) used to manage the Palestinian-controlled side,' he added. Humanitarian aid and Egypt's burden Addressing humanitarian efforts, Megawer said Egypt has worked 'tirelessly' with international partners to deliver aid to Gaza in recent days. 'A large number of aid trucks have entered, mostly carrying essential food supplies like flour and baby formula,' he said. Despite contributions from other nations, he emphasized Egypt's outsized role: 'Egypt bears the heaviest burden—security-wise, logistically, and economically,' he said, claiming Egypt's share of aid to be about 80 or 90 percent. Since Wednesday, 444 aid trucks have entered Gaza via the Zikim and Karm Abu Salem crossings. Political mediation amid famine and war Megawer concluded by outlining Egypt's dual approach to the war: mediation and aid delivery. 'Egypt has been actively mediating ceasefire efforts in Gaza, aiming to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas,' he said. These efforts seek a permanent ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the urgent and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. International organizations have accused Israel of using mass-starvation as a weapon of war against the Strip's 2.3 million population, describing the situation as a 'man-made famine.' Since October 2023, Israeli genocidal war on Gaza has killed over 59,700 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and injured over 150,000 others, according to Gaza's health ministry. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Middle East
09-04-2025
- Health
- Middle East
N.Sinai governor: Sisi-Macron visit to El Arish city 'momentous political & economic event'
EL ARISH, Egypt, April 9 (MENA) - Governor of North Sinai Khaled Megawer commended Tuesday's visit by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his French counterpart to El Arish city for being an unprecedented historic event that carried major political and economic implications, saying the visit sparked overwhelming joy among the people of the governorate. In statements to Nagham FM radio station the governor said, the French president was keen on visiting El Arish Hospital, having a heart-to-heart conversation with the injured Palestinians and getting posted in detail on their unbearable suffering down to the last detail from the 7th of October until their admission to the hospital. Megawer further noted that the French president asked precise questions to the injured, including the number of their family members and those killed or missing. Macron attentively listened to poignant details on their suffering; thus clearly attesting to his full awareness of the grand scale of the crisis and his keenness on documenting the unpalatable facts on the ground, said the governor. President Macron was also shook hands with the medical and nursing staff in the hospital, as he listened and sympathized with the Palestinian cases, he added. He further noted that the French president was touched by the striking testimonies illustrating misery of Palestinian patients, who expressed their gratitude for the health and humanitarian care provided by the Egyptian State that relieved their excruciating pain, said the governor. Macron also visited the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC)'s warehouses, he said, noting that the French presidential delegation was also briefed on the mechanism for managing relief assistance and the logistics challenges facing Egypt, particularly during the periods of the Rafah border terminal's closure. He listened to a detailed explanation from ERC Chairperson Amal Imam about great efforts made in this vital humanitarian file, he added. The French president also participated in a well-attended conference that brought together international organizations, including the United Nations and UNICEF, to hold in-depth discussion on the current conditions, said the governor. Meantime, the governor of North Sinai expressed North Sinai's residents' great happiness over president Sisi's presence in Sinai. Megawer stressed that Macron's visit represented a historic precedent, as no European president had ever visited North Sinai in modern history. (MENA) R R N/S A S
Egypt Today
09-04-2025
- Health
- Egypt Today
Sisi-Macron visit to Arish 'momentous political and economic event': N. Sinai governor
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, visit Al-Arish hospital - Egyptian Presidency ARISH – 9 April 2025: Governor of North Sinai Khaled Megawer commended Tuesday's visit by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his French counterpart to El Arish city for being an unprecedented historic event that carried major political and economic implications, saying the visit sparked overwhelming joy among the people of the governorate. In statements to Nagham FM radio station the governor said, the French president was keen on visiting El Arish Hospital, having a heart-to-heart conversation with the injured Palestinians and getting posted in detail on their unbearable suffering down to the last detail from the 7th of October until their admission to the hospital. Megawer further noted that the French president asked precise questions to the injured, including the number of their family members and those killed or missing. Macron attentively listened to poignant details on their suffering; thus, clearly attesting to his full awareness of the grand scale of the crisis and his keenness on documenting the unpalatable facts on the ground, said the governor. President Macron also shook hands with the medical and nursing staff in the hospital, as he listened and sympathized with the Palestinian cases, he added. He further noted that the French president was touched by the striking testimonies illustrating misery of Palestinian patients, who expressed their gratitude for the health and humanitarian care provided by the Egyptian State that relieved their excruciating pain, said the governor. Macron also visited the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC)'s warehouses, he said, noting that the French presidential delegation was also briefed on the mechanism for managing relief assistance and the logistics challenges facing Egypt, particularly during the periods of the Rafah border terminal's closure. He listened to a detailed explanation from ERC Chairperson Amal Imam about great efforts made in this vital humanitarian file, he added. The French president also participated in a well-attended conference that brought together international organizations, including the United Nations and UNICEF, to hold in-depth discussion on the current conditions, said the governor. Meantime, the governor of North Sinai expressed North Sinai's residents' great happiness over president Sisi's presence in Sinai. Megawer stressed that Macron's visit represented a historic precedent, as no European president had ever visited North Sinai in modern history.
Egypt Today
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
New Rafah city thriving, not designed for Palestinian displacement: North Sinai governor
A file photo of New Rafah city CAIRO – 4 April 2025: Governor of North Sinai Khaled Megawer has emphasized that New Rafah City is progressing steadily toward development and stability, refuting claims that the city is inactive or intended for the relocation of Palestinians. In press remarks, the governor addressed the 'mere unfounded' allegations regarding the city's purpose, stating that New Rafah is a significant national project aimed at reconstruction and providing decent housing for citizens affected by previous events in the area. Megawer noted that the governorate is paying special attention to the city's infrastructure, including schools, healthcare centers, and essential services, with daily monitoring to ensure the best offerings for residents. He further affirmed the state's commitment to the development of Sinai and the achievement of social justice for its inhabitants, stating that rumors of Palestinian relocation intentions or a lack of services are attempts to distort the government's efforts in Sinai development. Egypt has repeatedly rejected Israeli-US plans to displace Gaza residents toward Sinai amid the ongoing Israeli war in the enclave, describing the deportation of Palestinians as a 'red line.' On Monday, millions of Egyptians participated in protests nationwide after Eid Al-Fitr prayers, emphasizing strong support for the leadership's rejection of attempts to displace Gaza residents and eradicate the Palestinian cause.
Iraqi News
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Egypt.. Securing relief trucks through Rafah crossing to reach the Palestinian territories
Cairo - INA The Egyptian authorities confirmed, on Wednesday, their continued efforts to support relief efforts for the Palestinian people by securing the passage of hundreds of trucks loaded with fuel, food, medicine and relief supplies daily through the Rafah crossing to reach the Palestinian territories, announcing their readiness to hold a conference to rebuild the sector. North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer confirmed to the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that "his country continues its efforts to overcome obstacles and provide logistical facilities to supervise the passage of more than 300 relief trucks daily, ten of which are designated for fuel." Megawer said: "Egypt has intensified its efforts to secure the passage of hundreds of trucks daily from the Rafah land crossing," noting that "the next step during the coming week will be coordination between the Egyptian and Palestinian ministries of health to bring the wounded and injured through the Rafah land crossing to Egyptian hospitals," stressing "his country Egypt's readiness to hold an international conference to rebuild Gaza." For his part, the Director of the Refugee Affairs Department, Abdul Rahman Nour El-Din, confirmed to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), "The continued passage of relief trucks through the Rafah crossing to the Palestinian territories." In turn, the official spokesman for Al-Azhar Sheikhdom, Abdul Aleem Qishta, praised the Egyptian efforts with all its institutions and civil society organizations to pass and secure hundreds of trucks daily since the start of the decision to implement the first phase of the truce," explaining that "Egypt has intensified its logistical efforts to implement the agreement in the stages of the truce and provide logistical support and ensure the arrival of trucks from the Rafah crossing to the Palestinian territories."
