Egypt, Oman Explore Boosting Cooperation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (AFP file photo)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (AFP file photo)
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Egypt, Oman Explore Boosting Cooperation

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (AFP file photo)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (AFP file photo)

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry kicked off on Saturday a two-day visit to the Omani capital, Muscat, leading an Egyptian delegation to the 15th session of the Egyptian-Omani joint committee.

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi received Shoukry at Muscat International Airport.

At his arrival, Shoukry inaugurated the Arab Specialized Eye, Nose, Throat and Dental Hospital, which is a joint Omani-Egyptian investment project.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of Sheikh Sebaa bin Hamdan Al Saadi, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee for Celebrations, in the presence of a number of Omani and Egyptian officials.

Spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Ahmed Hafez, said Shoukry will sit down with a number of senior Omani officials to discuss the distinguished bilateral relations between their countries. Talks will also cover regional and international developments of interest.

On Saturday, Shoukry attended the opening of the third session of the Egyptian-Omani Joint Business Council at Al Bustan Palace. Present at the event were Albusaidi and Omani Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais Al Yousef.

The Egyptian Minister commended the active role played by the council to promote joint investments and explore cooperation opportunities. He also hailed the regular convention of the council since its establishment in 2019.

Shoukry encouraged Omani investors and private business owners to make the best use of the mega economic and developmental projects under way in Egypt, which offer a wide variety of investment opportunities, especially in light of the country's successful economic reforms to ensure a business-friendly environment.



Ambulances Can’t Operate in Northern Gaza Strip, Health Ministry Says

A Palestinian man sits on the rubble of a house destroyed in the Israeli military offensive, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 4, 2024. (Reuters)
A Palestinian man sits on the rubble of a house destroyed in the Israeli military offensive, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 4, 2024. (Reuters)
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Ambulances Can’t Operate in Northern Gaza Strip, Health Ministry Says

A Palestinian man sits on the rubble of a house destroyed in the Israeli military offensive, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 4, 2024. (Reuters)
A Palestinian man sits on the rubble of a house destroyed in the Israeli military offensive, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 4, 2024. (Reuters)

The Gaza Health Ministry said ambulances are no longer operating in the north of the enclave, where Israel has been waging a renewed offensive for nearly a month.

Eyad Zaqout, a senior ministry official, told reporters Monday that “a large number of injured people are bleeding on the roads.”

The ministry also said in a statement that Israeli forces continue to bombard Kamal Adwan Hospital with strikes on Monday, injuring some staff and patients.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The Civil Defense, first responders operating under the Hamas-run government, said last week that they were no longer able to operate in the north because crews had been fired upon by Israeli forces.

Israel launched its latest offensive in northern Gaza in early October, focusing on Jabalia, a densely populated, decades-old urban refugee camp where it says Hamas had regrouped. It has also carried out strikes in nearby Beit Lahia.

Israel has ordered the entire population in northern Gaza to evacuate, and tens of thousands have fled to Gaza City in recent weeks.

The three hospitals serving the northern areas are barely functioning and have been largely cut off by the fighting. Israeli forces raided one of them, saying fighters were sheltering there, allegations denied by Palestinian officials.

Israel has also sharply reduced the amount of aid allowed into Gaza, even after a warning from the United States that it could jeopardize American military support.