The 77th Saudi relief plane, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, arrived today at El Arish International Airport in the Arab Republic of Egypt. This flight is part of the ongoing air bridge launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in direct coordination with the Ministry of Defense and the Saudi Embassy in Cairo, to ensure the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to our Palestinian brothers and sisters.
The new plane carried a diverse shipment of essential aid, including complete food baskets and shelter kits for those affected who lost their homes and belongings. The shipment is currently being unloaded in preparation for its transport by truck into the Gaza Strip, to help meet the basic needs of the population under the current circumstances.
This aid comes in implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister, who ordered the launch of a public campaign through the "Sahem" platform to provide relief to the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. This directive reflects the Saudi leadership's keenness to stand with the Palestinians in their humanitarian crisis and alleviate their suffering.
This air bridge is of paramount importance given the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where residents are suffering from severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter as a result of the ongoing conflict. Saudi aid plays a pivotal role in bridging the food and shelter gaps, with the Kingdom being among the first countries to provide logistical and relief support through multiple air and sea routes to ensure the continuous flow of aid.
Historically, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of countries supporting the Palestinian cause, not only politically but also through humanitarian and developmental means. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center serves as the Kingdom's humanitarian arm, overseeing the delivery of this aid according to the highest international standards to ensure it reaches those who need it most. These efforts are complemented by Egypt's crucial role in facilitating the reception of aid at El Arish Airport and securing its passage through the Rafah land crossing.
The continued arrival of relief flights, now totaling 77, underscores the Kingdom's unwavering and principled commitment to the Palestinian people and reflects the deep fraternal ties between the two nations. The Kingdom continues to assess the situation on the ground to determine the type of assistance required in the coming phases, whether medical, food, or shelter-related, to ensure an effective response to the humanitarian crisis.
