Egypt Prepares Aircraft Carrier to Serve as Field Hospital in Libya

Food aid that was dispatched to help those affected by Storm Daniel in Libya. (AFP)
Food aid that was dispatched to help those affected by Storm Daniel in Libya. (AFP)
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Egypt Prepares Aircraft Carrier to Serve as Field Hospital in Libya

Food aid that was dispatched to help those affected by Storm Daniel in Libya. (AFP)
Food aid that was dispatched to help those affected by Storm Daniel in Libya. (AFP)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered on Wednesday the preparation of a Mistral aircraft carrier to serve as a field hospital for the victims of Storm Daniel that struck Libya.

The president instructed the establishment of shelter camps in the Western Military Region for Libyans who lost their homes, according to the Egyptian presidency post on X.

State television quoted presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy as saying that Sisi directed the forces and members heading to Libya to make every effort to mitigate the effects of the humanitarian disaster.

Furthermore, the European Union has released an initial €500,000 ($536,545) in humanitarian funding to tackle the most urgent needs of people in Libya affected by the impact of Storm Daniel.

Immediately, EU Member States – so far Germany, Romania, and Finland - have offered substantial assistance in the form of shelter items such as tents, field beds and blankets, 80 generators, food items, as well as hospital tents and water tanks.

Funding will be channeled through partners operating on the ground to deliver lifesaving health and water and sanitation supplies for the flood response in Libya.

The Permanent Mission of the State of Libya to the UN office in Geneva requested on Tuesday assistance from the EU following the floods that killed more than 5,000.

In the same context, the first two planes of the Qatari air bridge arrived at Benina International Airport in Benghazi. The two planes are carrying 67 tons of relief aid as an emergency response to the humanitarian situation in areas affected by floods and torrents.

The aid included medical and food supplies, in addition to a field hospital.

Algeria also dispatched humanitarian aid to Libya including medical supplies, tents and food. The Algerian team included divers and rescue operators.

Furthermore, Jordan dispatched a humanitarian aid plane to Libya.

Hussein Al-Shibli, Secretary-General of Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, stated that this was done in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and the Jordanian Armed Forces.

The Organization added that the first plane carries emergency relief materials consisting of tents, blankets, mattresses, and food parcels.

For his part, Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq issued directives to send urgent humanitarian aid to Libya.



Gaza Rescuers Say Israeli Strikes Kill 24 Palestinians

A boy walks past a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike at Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on January 15, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
A boy walks past a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike at Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on January 15, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
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Gaza Rescuers Say Israeli Strikes Kill 24 Palestinians

A boy walks past a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike at Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on January 15, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
A boy walks past a destroyed building in the aftermath of an Israeli strike at Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, on January 15, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)

Gaza's civil defense agency said on Wednesday that Israeli strikes killed at least 24 people across the Palestinian territory, with Israel's military saying it had targeted Hamas militants overnight.

The latest violence, following more than 15 months of war between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas, comes as truce mediator Qatar said negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal were in their "final stages”

The civil defense agency said in a statement that 11 bodies were brought to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gaza Strip, after Israel struck a family home in Deir el-Balah city during the night.

A seven-year-old boy and three teenagers were among the dead, the agency said.

A separate strike targeted a school building used as shelter for war-displaced Palestinians in Gaza City, killing seven people and injuring several others, the civil defense agency said.

A third strike at dawn hit a house in the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp, killing six people and injuring seven, the agency added.

The Israeli military confirmed that its forces had carried out multiple strikes overnight in Gaza, saying in a statement that they were "precise" and targeted "terrorist operatives.”

Over the past 24 hours, the military said it had struck more than 50 targets across the Gaza Strip.

Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed at least 46,707 Palestinians and wounded 110,265 since Oct. 7, 2023, the Palestinian enclave's health ministry said on Wednesday.