During the visit, Megawer said Egypt faces no political or security threats and remains a strong regional actor with capable armed forces and balanced international relations.
Speaking to the media, Megawer said Egypt’s main challenge is economic, particularly as it carries "a disproportionate share of humanitarian assistance to Gaza" amid a global economic crisis.
The governor made the comments while accompanying Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, Sweden’s ambassador to Cairo, and Reka Ella, Finland’s ambassador to Cairo, during their inspection of the crossing on the Egyptian side.
The visit aimed to review Egypt’s response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the entry of aid and the reception of wounded Palestinians for treatment in Egyptian hospitals.
It coincided with the passage of a new group of Palestinian returnees to Gaza through the Rafah crossing, as Egyptian authorities continued to facilitate voluntary returns under the current crossing mechanism.
Egyptian medical and logistical teams were also preparing to receive another group of wounded Palestinians for treatment in line with the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Officials said reception procedures, medical triage points, and ambulance deployments were fully operational to ensure the swift transfer of patients to designated healthcare facilities.
Aid burden and medical readiness
Megawer also revealed that 5,400 aid trucks are ready to enter logistics zones in the Gaza Strip.
He added that Egypt has specialized medical teams and the necessary supplies to care for the wounded, and that ambulances are fully equipped to support patients and those injured from Gaza.
He noted that Egypt delivers more than 70 percent of the aid entering Gaza and receives all wounded Palestinians, describing this as a significant economic burden under current global conditions.
Some aid shipments, he noted, have been damaged by prolonged waiting periods, underscoring the urgency of streamlining entry procedures.
Crossing procedures and geography
Reviewing operations at the crossing, Megawer said Egyptian authorities verify all procedures to ensure that movement is precisely regulated.
He explained that the fence in the area marks the border between Egypt and Gaza, and entry and exit are organized according to approved regulations. Travellers cover about four kilometres to reach the Karm Abu Salem crossing, a relatively short distance.
He also noted a separate 40-kilometre route sometimes used to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid.
The gate leading directly into Gaza is for individuals only, not trucks. Trucks carrying aid enter via the Al-Awja crossing and pass through Israeli territory before reaching Gaza, he added.
Megawer explained that geography sometimes requires trucks to pass through Israeli territory, as the direct border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip extends only about 14 kilometres along the Mediterranean coast, while the distance from Rafah to Al-Awja is around 40 kilometres.
Regarding other crossings, he noted that two in Gaza have been closed for a long time. On the eastern side, three crossings for fuel and other materials were closed by Israel between 2008 and 2010. In the north, the Beit Hanoun crossing, administered by Israel, is used for movement between Gaza and the West Bank.
Political impact of visits
Megawer said there is a clear difference between receiving information through intelligence services or media outlets and witnessing developments on the ground.
“Those who visit either want to verify that aid is entering or seek to increase their support after seeing the reality,” he said.
He added that such visits have led to increased political backing, reflected in more countries recognising the Palestinian state, as well as in financial support for Egypt and the reception of wounded Palestinians abroad.
Despite the complexity of the second phase of the Gaza agreement, Megawer expressed optimism, saying Egypt’s aim remains to end the conflict and reach a settlement that safeguards security in the Middle East and ensures the implementation of international resolutions.
The Swedish and Finnish ambassadors praised Egypt’s efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza and to receive injured Palestinians for treatment in Egyptian hospitals.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) launched early this morning its 137th “Zad Al-Izza: From Egypt to Gaza” convoy, loaded with tons of comprehensive humanitarian assistance, as part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian people.
The convoy included around 285,000 food parcels, more than 800 tons of flour, about 1,540 tons of medicines and relief supplies, and over 1,180 tons of fuel to operate hospitals and essential facilities in Gaza.
The ERC also reinforced winter aid, with more than 12,790 winter clothing items, 15,500 blankets, 140 mobile toilets, 1,600 mattresses, and 12,000 tents dispatched to support those affected.
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