During his inspection tour, Minister Abdel-Ghaffar said Egypt has given around 18,000 vaccine doses to about 13,500 children since November 2023, following the first agreement that allowed Cairo to receive wounded Palestinians from Gaza after the outbreak of the war.
He added that the vaccinations were provided not only to injured children but also to children crossing with their families, ensuring basic health protection for those under 12.
In remarks broadcast by AlQahera News Channel, the minister noted that healthcare services in Gaza had been disrupted for a long time, negatively affecting routine childhood immunization. This prompted Egypt to step up efforts to provide essential vaccinations and treatment.
Abdel-Ghaffar said the ministry has also supplied basic hygiene materials for children and accompanying relatives and provided primary medical services within available resources.
Earlier on Thursday, Abdel-Ghaffar inspected the Rafah land crossing as part of an official trip to North Sinai governorate to review health and humanitarian conditions and assess medical services for wounded Palestinians. He was accompanied by North Sinai Governor Major General Khaled Megawer.
Upon his arrival at the Arish International Airport, Abdel-Ghaffar was received by the governor and senior health officials.
Megawer said the visit reflects the state’s commitment to supporting the health sector in North Sinai and enhancing its readiness to deal with humanitarian and medical challenges.
During the tour, the health minister reviewed medical procedures for receiving humanitarian cases at the crossing and was briefed on coordination mechanisms between relevant authorities, as well as the operation of medical points and ambulance teams to ensure rapid delivery of care.
He stressed the importance of maintaining full medical preparedness and emergency capacity around the clock.
The visit also included inspections of the Arish General Hospital and Sheikh Zuweid Central Hospital, as well as ambulance units across the governorate. The aim was to assess service levels, identify operational needs, and address any obstacles, the governor said.
Hospitals and medical units in North Sinai have been placed on maximum alert, with emergency medicines and blood supplies secured, and facilities reinforced with qualified staff, in line with directives to provide medical care to Palestinians arriving from Gaza.
Meanwhile, the fourth group of Palestinians returning to Gaza started their journey back after completing travel arrangements. Teams from the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) received the returnees early on Thursday, facilitating procedures in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The Rafah crossing resumed two-way movement on Monday, allowing travel between Egypt and Gaza, following the second phase of the ceasefire and pressure from Egypt and the United States. The crossing was closed on the Palestinian side by Israeli forces in May 2024.
Under the current arrangement, Palestinian officials operate the crossing with oversight from a European Union mission, while Israel vets passenger lists in advance and conducts security checks at a separate facility.
Returnees reported strict limits on belongings, lengthy delays, and confusion over procedures, with fewer people crossing than initially expected.
Palestinian factions and rights groups said these accounts aligned with longstanding claims of mistreatment at Israeli-controlled checkpoints, while Hamas urged mediators to ensure the safety and dignity of Palestinians passing through Rafah.
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