First batch of US humanitarian aid to Gaza reaches Egypt’s Al-Arish airport: US embassy in Cairo

Ahram Online , Thursday 16 Nov 2023

The US Embassy in Cairo announced on Thursday the arrival of the first US flight carrying 200 tons of food aid to Gaza in Egypt's Al-Arish airport in preparation for sending them into the Strip through the Rafah border crossing.

US aid
The first batch of the US aid to Gaza arrived on Thursday at Al-Arish airport. Photo : US Department of State

 

“The United States is working closely with the Egyptian Red Crescent, the United Nations, and international partner organizations to accelerate and expand aid efforts, reinforcing protection for Palestinian civilians,” said Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya who received the first batch of US food aid at the airport.  

Earlier Thursday, the Egyptian Red Crescent announced that the total aid received from 21 October to 14 November reached 12,000 tons of humanitarian aid, including nearly 9,000 tons from Egypt alone.

According to news reports on Thursday, the number of flights on the air bridge to the Palestinian side has reached 131 planes.

From 12 October to 13 November 2700 foreign nationals crossed from Gaza to Egypt while 150 wounded Palestinians also crossed to receive treatment in Egyptian hospitals, the reports added.

On Thursday, news reports also stated that the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing received 180 foreign nationals with dual citizenship from Gaza. They hold Egyptian, Jordanian, British, and Irish nationalities. In addition, nine injured individuals were transported to hospitals in North Sinai.

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