CAIRO: The head of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has praised Egypt for supporting Gaza with humanitarian aid.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, during talks with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, said that Cairo’s support for Gaza had prevented the humanitarian situation in the enclave from further deteriorating.

“This is not new for Egypt; this country has had the capacity and expertise for thousands of years to play its important regional role,” he said.

“The FAO is doing its utmost to support the people of Gaza in cooperation with other UN organizations and relevant parties; to ensure the alleviation of the suffering of innocent people.”

Speaking to the media, Madbouly said: “The war in Gaza has had its reflections on the neighboring countries of the conflict zone, including Egypt.

“Nevertheless, most of the aid reaching there is sourced from Egypt, contributing over 80 percent of the total humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip so far.”

Egypt “looks forward to the support of the FAO to ensure the delivery and increase of aid,” Madbouly added.

Ashraf Abu Hajr, a political expert, told Arab News: “Egypt’s cooperation with the FAO will undoubtedly yield positive results on the issue of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, as Egypt continues its efforts at all levels to support our Palestinian brethren.

“Over the past five months, Egypt has received 40,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid from countries around the world to be delivered to Gaza, while Cairo has provided 100,000 tonnes, illustrating that Egypt has sent nearly two-thirds of the humanitarian aid to the sector.”

He added: “Egypt has prioritized sending aid to Gaza, saving its inhabitants, and has worked on including in it food, water and medicine to help Palestinians withstand and thwart Israeli plans for forced displacement.

“Egypt is looking for newer ways every day to introduce humanitarian aid, whether by land through the Rafah crossing, or by air. Cairo has mobilized global public opinion, drawing attention to the crimes committed against our brethren in Palestine.”