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At the Gates of Gaza, Aid Piles Up in Egypt

Rafah, the border crossing into Gaza that Egypt had promised to open on Friday, is the only crossing into the blockaded Palestinian territory that is not controlled by Israel. MOHAMMED ABED / AFP
Rafah, the border crossing into Gaza that Egypt had promised to open on Friday, is the only crossing into the blockaded Palestinian territory that is not controlled by Israel. MOHAMMED ABED / AFP
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At the Gates of Gaza, Aid Piles Up in Egypt

Rafah, the border crossing into Gaza that Egypt had promised to open on Friday, is the only crossing into the blockaded Palestinian territory that is not controlled by Israel. MOHAMMED ABED / AFP
Rafah, the border crossing into Gaza that Egypt had promised to open on Friday, is the only crossing into the blockaded Palestinian territory that is not controlled by Israel. MOHAMMED ABED / AFP

Food, medicines, water purifiers, hygiene products and blankets: the aid was piling in Egypt's Sinai region at El Arish airport, which even opened an extra landing strip to cope with deliveries.

Rafah, the border crossing into Gaza that Egypt had promised to open on Friday, is a few dozen kilometers to the east, said AFP.

It is the only crossing into the blockaded Palestinian territory that is not controlled by Israel.

On a visit to Cairo, UN chief Antonio Guterres said Thursday that there needed to be "rapid, unimpeded humanitarian access" after dire warnings about the impact of the sustained Israeli blockade.

Guterres said the Rafah crossing and El Arish airport "are not only critical, they are our only hope" and "the lifelines" for the people of Gaza.

Ahmed Ali, head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, told AFP his organization receives "two to three planes of aid a day, chartered by humanitarian agencies or states", who want to send food, water or medical supplies to the 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza.

As soon as aid is dropped off on the tarmac, the shipments are loaded onto trucks.

Israel, which has imposed a strict blockade on Gaza for 16 years and has declared a "complete siege" after the October 7 attack by the militant group Hamas on its soil, has agreed to allow the passage of aid.

Egyptian state-linked broadcaster Al Qahera News said the Rafah crossing would open on Friday.

But later Egypt said it needed more time to repair the roads that connect its territory to Gaza after four Israeli bombings of the crossing.

'Beyond catastrophic'
In the meantime, pallets loaded with aid are stored in warehouses in El Arish, the capital of North Sinai, said Ali.

As soon as the green light is given, 250 volunteers are ready to transport them to the border.

The UN World Food Program, which has already provided aid to 522,000 people since the start of the hostilities, said it has 951 tons of food at or on the way to Rafah -- enough to feed 488,000 people for one week, a spokesperson said.

On Thursday, an Emirati plane offloaded nine tons of UNICEF aid.

The situation in Gaza is "beyond catastrophic" with stocks almost empty after 13 days of war, said Sara Alzawqari, UNICEF spokeswoman for the Gulf.

"We have distributed nearly all our prepositioned supplies which were inside Gaza and have been working to keep the only functioning desalination plant in the entire Gaza Strip running in much-reduced capacity," she said, as food, water, fuel and power run short after Gaza's only power plant shut down.

'Time is running out'

Hamas militants stormed into Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians, who were shot, mutilated or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials. Israel says around 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control of the area under attack.

More than 3,700 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across Gaza in relentless Israeli bombardments in retaliation for the attacks by the Palestinian group, according to the Hamas health ministry in Gaza.

UN agencies have warned food, water and fuel will soon run out in the besieged Palestinian territory.

"Medical supplies and medicines have also been provided to hospitals, but given the number of injuries, hospital beds and essential medicine -- including anesthetics -- are quickly running out," Alzawqari said.

"Time is running out and the numbers of casualties amongst children are rising," she added.

"We need an immediate humanitarian pause to ensure unhindered and safe access to children in need."

The deal struck by US President Joe Biden with Israel and Egypt will allow in 20 trucks.

The emergency director of the World Health Organization has called it "a drop in the ocean of need".

"It should be 2,000 trucks," Michael Ryan said.

While food, water and fuel are the priority, Alzawqari said UNICEF has slipped boxes of educational game kits into aid shipments, because children need to continue "playing and learning even during emergencies".

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Arab World

100 Days After His Assassination, Public Pressure Mounts to Reveal Killers of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi seated inside an aircraft in Zintan on Nov. 19, 2011. (Reuters) 
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi seated inside an aircraft in Zintan on Nov. 19, 2011. (Reuters) 
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100 Days After His Assassination, Public Pressure Mounts to Reveal Killers of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi seated inside an aircraft in Zintan on Nov. 19, 2011. (Reuters) 
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi seated inside an aircraft in Zintan on Nov. 19, 2011. (Reuters) 

Legal moves and public pressure inside Libya, particularly from supporters of the former regime, have intensified in recent weeks, demanding that authorities disclose the circumstances surrounding the killing of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi.

Saif al-Islam, son of Libya’s late leader Moammar Gaddafi, was killed in the western city of Zintan on Feb. 3, 100 days ago.

Since Libyan Attorney General al-Siddiq al-Sour announced on March 5 that three suspects had been identified in connection with the crime - without revealing their names - public calls have grown for the full investigation findings to be released, for those behind the incident to be identified, and for all those involved to be brought to trial in order to ensure transparency and justice.

A Libyan source familiar with the matter in the capital, Tripoli, confirmed that new legal efforts are underway in the case.

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that Khaled al-Zaidi, head of the defense team in the Saif al-Islam assassination case, visited the office of the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, counselor Abdullah Abu Rzeiza, in Tripoli on Sunday morning. No details were disclosed about the visit or the issues discussed.

The same source, who requested anonymity, said that “these legal moves could lead to positive results and developments that may help uncover the truth and push the case toward greater clarity in the coming period,” without elaborating further.

Additionally, an initiative known as the “National Truth Committee on the Saif al-Islam Gaddafi Case” launched an online public petition calling on the attorney general to disclose details of the crime and announce the investigation results publicly, stressing the need to uphold the law and ensure the principles of justice.

The petition also called for legal measures against the three individuals referred to in the attorney general’s office statement, as well as an expansion of the investigation to include anyone who planned, participated in, financed or assisted in carrying out the crime.

At the same time, public pressure has increased across Libya. The Conference of Social and Political Activities and Civil Society Institutions in Fezzan called on the attorney general to clarify the reasons behind the delay in arresting the suspects, saying the continued ambiguity has raised widespread questions among the public.

Political activist Dr. Khaled al-Hijazi, who is close to the former regime, said the public pressure was “logical,” given that “the assassination of Saif al-Islam is a public opinion issue that cannot be ignored or covered up.”

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the importance of the case is compounded by its connection to a public political figure who previously ran in a presidential race and enjoys significant popular support inside the country.”

A source in the public prosecution office had previously told Asharq Al-Awsat that investigations into the case were still ongoing, in response to unofficial accounts circulating in Libya regarding the identities and regional affiliations of the perpetrators.

 

 

Arab World

Sisi Visits Uganda as Egypt Increases Coordination on Water Security

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Entebbe on Wednesday. (Egyptian Presidency)
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Entebbe on Wednesday. (Egyptian Presidency)
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Sisi Visits Uganda as Egypt Increases Coordination on Water Security

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Entebbe on Wednesday. (Egyptian Presidency)
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni welcomes Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Entebbe on Wednesday. (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni discussed Nile water issues and regional security during talks in Entebbe on Wednesday, as Cairo steps up coordination with Nile Basin countries amid ongoing tensions with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The visit, which followed a trip by Museveni to Cairo several months ago, comes as Egypt seeks to strengthen political and economic ties with Nile Basin states in support of its water security strategy.

According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, Sisi praised the growing momentum in relations with Uganda and called for broader cooperation in agriculture, irrigation, healthcare and training programs for Ugandan personnel.

He also stressed the importance of increasing trade and establishing sustainable investment partnerships.

Museveni described cooperation between the two countries as “a model for the desired integration among African states,” according to the statement. He also outlined Uganda’s Vision 2040 development plan and highlighted sectors where Kampala hopes to deepen cooperation with Cairo.

The two leaders exchanged views on regional crises, including conflicts in Sudan, Libya and the Palestinian territories, and emphasized the need for closer coordination on Nile and water-related issues.

Sisi called for neighboring countries to play a constructive role in restoring stability and achieving lasting peace across Africa, while Museveni stressed the importance of African-led solutions that take into account the continent’s particular circumstances and delicate balances.

Former Egyptian assistant foreign minister for African affairs Mona Omar said Egypt now viewed relations with Nile Basin countries as “an absolute priority,” including through investment, joint development projects and capacity-building initiatives.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Omar said Uganda held particular importance for Egypt because of historical ties and Cairo’s support for Uganda’s independence movement.

She said water cooperation was a central element of the visit, citing the long-standing presence of an Egyptian technical mission affiliated with Egypt’s irrigation ministry in Uganda.

The mission participates in Nile measurements and water-related projects, including efforts to clear invasive weeds from Lake Victoria to facilitate trade and navigation, she said.

Omar added that discussions also addressed the GERD dispute. She said Uganda does not oppose the construction of the dam but rejects causing harm to downstream countries, a stance Egypt appreciates.

Cairo is seeking broader consensus among Nile Basin countries on reaching a legally binding agreement governing the operation of the dam, which Ethiopia considers essential for development but Egypt and Sudan fear could reduce their water supplies.

The talks also touched on the Entebbe Agreement, a framework accord launched by Ethiopia in 2010 that would revise historical Nile water-sharing arrangements involving Egypt and Sudan.

Ethiopia announced in October 2024 that the agreement had entered into force after ratification by six countries — Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan — despite continued rejection by Egypt and Sudan.

Relations between Cairo and Kampala have gained momentum since Museveni’s visit to Egypt in August last year, during which several cooperation agreements were signed, Omar said.

She added that 65 Egyptian companies currently operate in Uganda in sectors including energy, infrastructure and food security, alongside cooperation in police and military training programs.

During his visit, Sisi renewed an invitation for Museveni to attend the African Union coordination summit to be hosted by Egypt in June 2026, as Uganda currently chairs the East African Community.

Arab World

Iraqi Parliament Set to Vote on Al-Zaidi's Government

An Iraqi parliament session in Baghdad, March 2026. (INA)
An Iraqi parliament session in Baghdad, March 2026. (INA)
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Iraqi Parliament Set to Vote on Al-Zaidi's Government

An Iraqi parliament session in Baghdad, March 2026. (INA)
An Iraqi parliament session in Baghdad, March 2026. (INA)

Iraq’s parliament is scheduled to vote on Thursday on the cabinet lineup proposed by Prime Minister-designate Ali Falih Al-Zaidi, amid ongoing political disputes over key ministries and newly proposed posts.

Parliament’s media office said the agenda for session No. 24 includes a single item: a vote on “the government program and cabinet of Prime Minister-designate Ali Falih Al-Zaidi,” signaling efforts by political blocs to move forward with approving the new government despite lingering divisions, particularly within the Shiite Coordination Framework alliance.

Political and parliamentary sources said negotiations were continuing over several sovereign ministries, four deputy prime minister posts and two proposed new ministries, as pressure mounted to finalize the government before the Eid holiday to avoid a political vacuum or possible security escalation.

A source familiar with the talks told Asharq Al-Awsat that most lawmakers had not yet reviewed the résumés of ministerial nominees, despite constitutional requirements that they be distributed to parliament members before the confidence vote.

“Most lawmakers are not part of the negotiations taking place among bloc leaders, which are focused mainly on dividing ministerial quotas under the points system, while disagreements continue over some sensitive positions,” the source said.

Despite a relatively calm political atmosphere ahead of the session, political sources spoke of possible “last-minute surprises,” citing disputes within some parties over government priorities, particularly the issue of restricting weapons to state control.

A politician familiar with the negotiations noted that some leaders within the Coordination Framework had become less enthusiastic about backing Al-Zaidi than they were at the start of his nomination process, partly because of his pledge to place all weapons under state authority and concerns over his future relationship with armed factions allied to the coalition.

Some factions believe Al-Zaidi enjoys “clear international and American support,” the source said, referring to statements by Western officials in recent weeks that have fueled fears among some political groups that the next government could adopt a tougher stance on weapons outside state control.

Local media reports said resistance by some armed factions to disarm was one of the main reasons for delays in finalizing the cabinet, while political analysts also pointed to disputes among parties over the allocation of ministries.

A committee formed by the Coordination Framework has discussed the issue of weapons control with Al-Zaidi, while some armed groups continue to reject disarmament because of uncertainty over the future of their arsenals, the source added.

On the Sunni side, political factions appeared close to finalizing their ministerial share. Media linked to the Taqaddum party led by Mohammed Al-Halbousi circulated names of nominees and details of the distribution of ministries among Sunni blocs.

According to the reports, Taqaddum would receive the education and industry ministries, in addition to a deputy prime minister post, while the commerce ministry would go to the Al-Siyada party led by Khamis Al-Khanjar. The defense ministry would be assigned to the Hasm alliance headed by Thabit Al-Abbasi, and the planning ministry to the party of Muthanna Al-Samarrai.

Among Kurdish parties, there are signs that the Kurdistan Democratic Party would receive the foreign ministry and a deputy prime minister position, while the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan would take the construction and justice ministries.

In his first public comments on the government formation process, Al-Zaidi said he would “not respond to any personal demands” while selecting ministers, adding that he had secured Kurdish backing following meetings in Erbil.

Al-Zaidi said he aimed to form “a strong and solid economic government,” signaling that economic and development issues would be prioritized by his cabinet.