Egypt Demands Naming Israel's Violations

An aid truck arrives at a UN storage facility as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas continues in the central Gaza Strip. (Reuters)
An aid truck arrives at a UN storage facility as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas continues in the central Gaza Strip. (Reuters)
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Egypt Demands Naming Israel's Violations

An aid truck arrives at a UN storage facility as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas continues in the central Gaza Strip. (Reuters)
An aid truck arrives at a UN storage facility as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas continues in the central Gaza Strip. (Reuters)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry emphasized on Sunday that the commitment of international parties to reach a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza constitutes the best way to effectively implement the provisions of the UNSC resolution and save the lives of Palestinian civilians.Shoukry and his Portuguese counterpart, João Cravinho, agreed in a phone call on the necessity of fully and immediately implementing the provisions of the recent United Nations Security Council's resolution on Gaza.The Egyptian Minister stressed that because of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, the international parties must use the correct terms to describe Israel's violations of global and international humanitarian law.He also emphasized that it was imperative to denounce and halt Israel's violations and policies of collective punishment against Palestinian civilians, including targeting, siege, forced displacement, and the destruction of the essential services system in the strip.The Security Council is facing criticism for its failure to take any concrete steps regarding the war in Gaza that broke out more than two months ago. It recently approved a resolution for a large-scale increase in aid without calling for a ceasefire.According to Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid, the Egyptian and Portuguese ministers discussed the latest developments in Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions there.They also reviewed the necessary international efforts to halt the war and contain its repercussions.They called for the immediate implementation of the UN resolution, which includes establishing a mechanism for accelerating the provision of humanitarian relief consignments to the Gaza Strip to meet the urgent needs of the Palestinian people.The Egyptian statement quoted his country's foreign minister, urging Portugal to help achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible.They discussed the situation in the occupied West Bank and the increasing violence of Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their properties.Shoukry warned against the security and political repercussions of the violence in the West Bank, urging the international community to take the necessary measures to stop the settlers' violence and hold them accountable.Both ministers agreed to continue consultation during the coming period to contain the crisis in Gaza, limit its repercussions, and prevent the conflict from expanding to other parts of the region.Meanwhile, Rafah crossing received 41 wounded Palestinians and their companions from hospitals in the Gaza Strip for treatment in North Sinai and other governorates.An official medical source said that 27 wounded Palestinians and 14 companions crossed Rafah and were transported in ambulances equipped for treatment to North Sinai and Ismailia hospitals.The Palestinians' injuries varied between wounds, fractures, and head injuries.He confirmed that 70 humanitarian aid trucks from Egypt and various Arab and foreign countries and organizations entered the Gaza Strip through Rafah.



Lebanese Health Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hospital Capacity in Lebanon is Decreasing Daily

A Lebanese child injured in an Israeli airstrike lies in a hospital in Sidon, Lebanon (AFP)
A Lebanese child injured in an Israeli airstrike lies in a hospital in Sidon, Lebanon (AFP)
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Lebanese Health Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hospital Capacity in Lebanon is Decreasing Daily

A Lebanese child injured in an Israeli airstrike lies in a hospital in Sidon, Lebanon (AFP)
A Lebanese child injured in an Israeli airstrike lies in a hospital in Sidon, Lebanon (AFP)

Lebanon’s Ministry of Health is focused on creating plans to delay hospitals from reaching full capacity, especially in heavily bombarded areas in the country’s south and Bekaa regions.

 

Following last week’s explosion of Hezbollah’s communications devices, which resulted in thousands of casualties, and a new wave of airstrikes that began Monday, Lebanon’s healthcare system is under severe strain.

 

This raises concerns about its ability to manage if the conflict continues and Israel persists with its extensive attacks, potentially resulting in even more casualties.

 

Capacity Under Strain

 

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad told Asharq Al-Awsat that the ministry is implementing a plan to evacuate hospitals nearing full capacity.

 

“We send ambulances to move patients whenever we sense a hospital is close to its limit,” he said.

 

“However, this becomes difficult in critical situations, especially after several paramedics were attacked and three hospitals in the south were damaged.”

 

Abiad explained that the plan allows hospitals to function as one large unit, sharing responsibilities and resources.

 

It also includes expanding capacity by increasing the number of nurses, doctors, and specialists, as well as opening new wards with support from international organizations.

 

“The situation is difficult, and capacity is decreasing daily,” he added.

 

“We are concerned about the ongoing Israeli attacks and their potential impact,” Abiad noted.