Egypt bars European medical aid from entering Gaza

Egyptian authorities have barred a European medical delegation from reaching the embattled Gaza Strip to deliver aid, Anadolu news agency reported.

According to the delegation’s coordinator Abdeen Fayez, Egyptian authorities banned them from entering Arish city en route to the Gaza Strip, without mentioning reasons, even though they informed authorities in advance of the trip.

Fayez added that the medical delegation, consisting of European Palestinian doctors, had to return to Cairo. He expressed his hope that his delegation would be able to enter Gaza as soon as possible, saying that a number of other European delegations, in addition to doctors from Egypt, Jordan and Morocco, are planning to visit Gaza in the coming days.

“What’s the motivation behind the closure of the Rafah crossing to medical and humanitarian aid? And who would benefit from preventing doctors from providing medical and humanitarian services to the victims of the aggression on Gaza?” Fayez wondered.