Egypt leader demands faster deliveries for Gaza rebuilding

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has ordered authorities to speed up equipment delivery to Gaza in order to rebuild the devastated territory.
The instructions came in response to a request by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and a meeting between Abbas Kamel, head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service (GIS), and Palestinian ministers.
According to Gaza’s Public Works and Housing Ministry, almost 17,000 residential and commercial units were damaged or destroyed during Israel’s 11-day Gaza campaign.
El-Sisi also directed officials to “continue making efforts” and “holding meetings” to resolve the issue of prisoners and missing people between Israel and Hamas, the Gaza Strip’s ruling authority.
Earlier, the Egyptian leader said the country was “working hard” to maintain the cease-fire between Hamas and Israel and to pave the way for the return of the peace process in cooperation with international powers led by the US, stressing the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to crisis-hit Palestinians.
According to the Middle East News Agency, Palestinian ministers will arrive in Cairo next week to coordinate the reconstruction process following Abbas’ directives. The Palestinian president also instructed ministers to “fully cooperate” with Egypt to implement El-Sisi’s initiatives on Gaza’s reconstruction.
The meeting aims to reach a unified vision on several issues, including maintaining peace.
Earlier, the GIS chief visited the Gaza Strip to meet leaders of the Palestinian factions and discuss key issues.
Palestinian officials have said that repairing damage to industry, power facilities and agriculture in the impoverished territory could cost up to $100 million.

Egypt leader demands faster deliveries for Gaza rebuilding