Egypt will step up its efforts to help relief organizations deliver aid to Gaza, as the territory remains in the grip of a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi chaired a meeting of the country’s National Security Council on Sunday to address the “military escalation in the Gaza Strip,” according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
The Council decided to “intensify contacts with international and regional relief organizations in order to deliver the necessary assistance,” the statement said.
Vital humanitarian supplies remained in Egypt near the Rafah crossing on Sunday, amid growing calls to open the border to southern Gaza. The United Nations highlighted the devastating impact of the blockade on Gaza, which has not received aid since the fighting broke out a week ago.
Some context: On Friday, Israel said more than one million Palestinians should leave their homes in the north of Gaza and flee south, ahead of an expected ground invasion. Various international officials and organizations have since pressured Egypt to create a “humanitarian corridor,” allowing Palestinians to flee Gaza.
But Egypt stressed in the statement its “national security is a red line and there is no compromise in its protection.” Egypt has so far been reluctant to open the last remaining exit for Gazans.
Egypt also pledged Sunday to work with its “international and regional partners in order to reduce the escalation and stop targeting civilians.” It also said the government was ready “to make any effort to calm the situation and launch and resume a real peace process.”
CNN
