The European Union has initiated logistical support for Egypt, with El-Arish Airport in northern Sinai designated as a logistics center.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, affirmed discussions with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during her recent visit to Cairo regarding ways to strengthen cooperation and intensify the partnership with Egypt in delivering more humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.
Speaking during the Paris Conference to Support Gaza, which commenced on Thursday in the French capital, von der Leyen stated, "I also discussed with King Abdullah II of Jordan, during his visit to Brussels two days ago, the provision of a new economic and financial package to bolster Jordan's immediate and long-term response to the current crisis, aiming to achieve regional stability."
She added, "The European Union has initiated logistical support for Egypt, with El-Arish Airport in northern Sinai designated as a logistics center. We are working on enhancing and expanding the logistical capacity of this center."
Von der Leyen further explained, "We have launched a humanitarian airlift, with 8 flights completed to date, transporting over 370 tons of medicines, water, and medical supplies to Gaza. We are preparing almost daily flights, and have successfully established a coordination cell with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent. Donations should be directed through this platform to ensure optimal coordination. Simultaneously, we are working on enhancing the logistical capabilities of the Egyptian Red Crescent, for example, through mobile refrigerated storage, and by deploying our logisticians on the ground."
She pointed out that it is incumbent on the international community to protect lives and preserve humanity. "The European Commission is well-acquainted with Gaza. For decades, we have worked with the people in Gaza and have been one of the largest donors to the Palestinian population. This naturally involves cooperation with influential international institutions, and these very close relationships that we've established with Gaza's residents are bearing fruit today. This facilitates coordination and response to the needs." Von der Leyen continued, "As the European Commission, we promptly began providing this humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. In the period preceding this conference, we quadrupled the humanitarian support for Gaza and the West Bank four times. However, this support is primarily directed towards Gaza, amounting to 100 million euros."
Von der Leyen said, "Most of our shipments to Gaza have arrived through the Rafah border crossing, but as almost everyone here has noted, the quantities are very limited and do not match the vast humanitarian needs. Therefore, we fully support increasing the absorptive capacity for aid delivered through the Rafah crossing; this is our top priority."
She added, "We also need to urgently explore additional avenues. For this reason, we greatly welcome President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus, and are working closely with him to create a maritime corridor. I believe this will ensure a sustainable, organized, and robust flow of aid. The European Commission fully supports all the logistical services and capabilities at our disposal. We will, of course, continue to assist in evacuating injured Palestinians who have received medical care in Egypt, which includes providing medicines and medical equipment to Egypt."
Concluding her address, the President of the European Commission emphasized that the international community must exert greater efforts to break the current cycle of violence.
