Ashraf AboArafe
The 20th Turkish “Ship of Goodness” has arrived at Port of El Arish, carrying a message of hope from Turkey to Gaza.
The vessel docked on 25 January, transporting nearly 1,400 tons of humanitarian aid destined for the besieged Gaza Strip. Prepared by the Turkish Red Crescent, the shipment includes food supplies, hygiene kits, clothing, shelter materials, and children’s necessities. The aid is being handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent for onward delivery to Gaza via El Arish.
Speaking from El Arish during the ship’s reception, Saleh Mutlu Şen, Turkey’s Ambassador to Cairo, welcomed the arrival of the 20th Ship of Goodness, describing it as a response to the urgent needs of the oppressed and suffering people of Gaza. He expressed his expectation that the pace of Turkish humanitarian shipments will increase in the coming period, following recent peace-related initiatives undertaken by Turkey.
Ambassador Şen voiced confidence that the Turkish people will intensify their donations during the holy month of Ramadan, adding that further relief assistance will be delivered through the AFAD, the Turkish Red Crescent, and numerous charitable organizations and institutions.
He stressed that all relief actors are eagerly awaiting the reopening of the Rafah Crossing, noting that humanitarian efforts on the ground—particularly in the health sector—will accelerate significantly once the crossing resumes operations, in close coordination with Egypt.
Ambassador Şen also expressed his deep hope that Gazans currently in Egypt will be able to return safely and with dignity to their homeland as soon as possible. He extended heartfelt thanks to all Egyptian authorities for their cooperation and support, notably the Egyptian Ministry of Interior, the Egyptian Red Crescent, the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and the Governorate of North Sinai, praising their vital role in facilitating humanitarian relief efforts to date.
