Newsletters
The 21st Goodness Ship carrying humanitarian aid from the Turkish Red Crescent bound for Gaza arrived Saturday at Egypt’s Mediterranean port city of El Arish after departing from Mersin, Türkiye.
The shipment comes as humanitarian access to Gaza has increased following the partial reopening of the Rafah border crossing earlier this month after nearly two years of closure, allowing expanded aid deliveries amid an ongoing ceasefire.
The vessel is carrying about 3,300 tons of humanitarian assistance, including 175,000 food parcels as well as food items, personal care products, clothing, shelter materials, water and other essential supplies.
Upon arrival in El Arish, the aid was received for onward transfer to Gaza through the Rafah crossing in coordination with the Egyptian Red Crescent.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Turkish Red Crescent has delivered humanitarian assistance to Gaza through its Goodness Ship initiative, working in cooperation with public institutions and the private sector to expand its solidarity network.
Türkiye has intensified its efforts in recent weeks, particularly after the Rafah crossing reopened on Feb. 2. Ankara plans to dispatch an initial 20,000 containers of aid to Gaza as access gradually increases.
Meanwhile, about 80,000 Palestinians performed the first weekly Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, according to local authorities.
In a brief statement, the Islamic Waqf Department in Jerusalem said the worshippers gathered at the mosque for the first Friday prayer of Ramadan.
Israeli police were deployed heavily around the compound and throughout Jerusalem’s Old City ahead of the prayers. Police said about 3,000 officers were stationed across East Jerusalem, as Israeli authorities imposed tight restrictions on access from the occupied West Bank.
Witnesses told Anadolu Agency that Israeli forces blocked thousands of worshippers at checkpoints surrounding East Jerusalem, preventing them from reaching the mosque.
The Palestinian governorate of Jerusalem said thousands of West Bank residents crowded at the Qalandia checkpoint but were denied entry after Israeli authorities claimed the “10,000-person quota” for West Bank worshippers had been filled.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the Israeli political leadership approved a plan last week allowing up to 10,000 Palestinians from the West Bank to enter East Jerusalem for Friday prayers during Ramadan.
Under the plan, West Bank Palestinians must obtain special daily permits in advance for each prayer. Access is restricted to men aged 55 and older, women aged 50 and older, and children under 12 accompanied by a first-degree relative, according to the report.
The Israeli army said all permits require prior security approval and that worshippers must complete digital verification procedures when returning to the West Bank.
During Ramadan, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians typically travel from the West Bank to East Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa, filling the compound and boosting commercial activity in the Old City. Since the start of the war in Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023, however, Israeli authorities have imposed strict movement restrictions, allowing only limited numbers of Palestinians to enter with permits many say are difficult to obtain.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is Islam’s third-holiest site. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, believing it was the location of two ancient Jewish temples.
Palestinians view occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, while Israel considers the entire city, including its eastern sector, to be its capital.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
4 min read
