Egyptian FM Sameh Shoukry held talks with UN’s Sigrid Kaag Discussed dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and need to increase flow of aid to Palestinians CAIRO: Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry recently held talks with Sigrid Kaag, the UN’s senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for the Gaza Strip. During their meeting, they discussed the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the need to increase the flow of aid to Palestinians while ensuring support for public service, hospital, and relief agency work. Shoukry pledged Egypt’s backing for Kaag in implementing the provisions of UN Security Council resolutions, including the rapid establishment of a UN mechanism for speeding up the delivery of aid. The minister also called for Israel to commit to helping, not obstructing, Kaag in carrying out her tasks. He said the “current tragic situation” necessitated the immediate entry of aid and that achieving a ceasefire remained the best way to end the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Strip. Kaag, who was on Wednesday due to visit North Sinai’s El-Arish International Airport and the Rafah border crossing, thanked Egypt for its coordinating role on Gaza.