Egypt says prepared to receive patients from Gaza after ceasefire
2 Min Read
The Egyptian Health Minister visits the border with the Gaza Strip to inspect preparations to receive patients from the blockaded strip.
-
The body of a boy and a wounded man are brought to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital following Israeli occupation forces airstrikes, in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 (AP)
Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar on Saturday visited ambulance units stationed in the Abu Tawila area of Sheikh Zuweid City, North Sinai Governorate, near the Rafah border crossing.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Health and Population, the visit is part of Egypt's efforts to provide comprehensive healthcare support to the people of Gaza ahead of the ceasefire agreement, which will take effect on Sunday morning.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, stated that the minister reviewed the ambulance authority’s readiness and inspected the preparedness of the vehicles and medics to handle critical cases.
The minister also examined the referral plan, which coordinates with North Sinai’s health directorate and the main crisis management center at the ministry to designate appropriate hospitals for transferring patients within North Sinai and neighboring governorates.
Rafah crossing to open in two weeks
A source within the Palestinian resistance revealed to Al Mayadeen on Friday that preparations in Cairo are in full swing "to begin implementing the ceasefire agreement."
According to the source, the preparations focus on prisoner exchanges, humanitarian relief efforts, and field monitoring for any ceasefire violations. These activities will take place with the presence of Egyptian, Qatari, American, Israeli, and Hamas representatives.
The source added that the Rafah crossing is currently undergoing rehabilitation, and following the release of Israeli female soldiers after 14 days, the crossing will be reopened under arrangements led by the Egyptian side in coordination with Palestinian authorities.
Priority will be given to the wounded, the sick, and humanitarian cases, alongside the facilitation of aid entry, coordinated with Egyptian authorities.
Furthermore, the source stated that in the initial phase, the Israeli army will retreat one kilometer away from the Rafah crossing until its withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor is completed.
