Oman steps up humanitarian support for Palestinians
In a significant gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people, Oman has intensified its efforts to provide aid and medical assistance amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. On Wednesday night, a group of injured Palestinians was evacuated from Gaza to Oman for medical treatment, marking yet another initiative by the sultanate to support those affected by the conflict.
The Ministry of Health, under the guidance of H E Dr Hilal Ali al Sabti, has been at the forefront of this humanitarian effort. A specialised medical team was deployed to facilitate the transfer of the wounded Palestinians from Egypt to Oman, underscoring the sultanate's commitment to peace and humanitarian relief.
Dr Moatasem al Maamari, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and part of the medical team of 27 professionals, informed that the National Medical Emergency Team was mobilised for this purpose. "Transferring the wounded Palestinians to Oman is consistent with the official position of solidarity with our Palestinian brothers in their exceptional plight, unprecedented in recent times," he added.
Oman's financial contributions for Palestinian aid have been noteworthy, with donations amounting to Us$3mn to the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and Us$1mn to UNICEF to support children in Gaza. This is in addition to several consignments of aid sent to Palestine through dedicated air bridges on board Royal Air Force of Oman aircraft.
H E Dr Taysir Farhat, Palestinian Ambassador to Oman, lauded the sultanate's support, emphasising that its efforts reflect a strong alignment with the Palestinian struggle for legitimate rights. He also acknowledged the cohesive stance of the Omani leadership and populace against the aggression and their calls for an end to the conflict.
Omani diplomacy has been active on both regional and international fronts to mitigate the hostilities. The sultanate called for an emergency meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in Muscat, aimed at rallying regional and international efforts to halt the escalation and ensure protection of civilians.
H E Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, has engaged in discussions with counterparts from several countries including the United States, Russia and European Union nations, focusing on ceasefire negotiations and the revival of the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis.
Oman's commitment to the Palestinian cause was also voiced at the UN Security Council. H E Dr Mohammed bin Awad al Hassan, Oman's Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered a speech on behalf of the GCC countries, shedding light on the Palestinian issue and criticising the West's double standards.
In a recent meeting of GCC Ministers of Information, chaired by Oman, H E Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information, underscored the media's crucial role in supporting the Palestinian people and drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis they face.
Transferring the wounded Palestinians to Oman is consistent with the official position of solidarity with our Palestinian brothers in their exceptional plight, unprecedented in recent times DR MOATASEM AL MAAMARI