Minister of Health holds press conference 2 Riyadh

"Everybody knows that Saudi Arabia plays a major role in supporting
the Palestinian cause. Since the time of King Abdulaziz bin
Abdulrahman Al Saud until now, Saudi leaders have taken glorious
positions in support of and promoting the Palestinian authority.
Palestinian people feel gratitude and appreciation for Saudi
supporting positions in regional and international forums. Saudi
moral, political and financial support for the Palestinian authority
has always been instrumental in meeting its national and political
obligations", the Health Minister said.
"As for the current humanitarian crisis, Saudi aid started in the
first day of the outrageous Israeli aggression against Gaza Strip.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has
ordered urgent airlift to transport medicines and medical supplies,
and medical evacuation aircraft to carry injured Palestinians for
treatment in Saudi hospitals. Forty five crafts were operating on
daily basis within the Saudi medical relief airlift. So far, the
total aid amounted to 140 tons of medical supplies and medicines.
Seven medevac planes equipped with efficient medical crew and
ultra-modern instruments managed to transport injured Palestinians to
Saudi specialist hospitals amounting to 50 injured Palestinians with
their escorts", he added.
Dr. Al-Manae considered the emergency meeting of Arab health
ministers to be held tomorrow as solidarity and Arab stand by
Palestinians brothers in their calamity under the unfair Israeli
aggression. This effort also reflects the role that should be played
by the Arab health sector in providing medical aid and exploring ways
of protecting the Palestinians against frequent Israeli attacks.
He said that Saudi Arabia is not the only entity providing relief in
support of the Palestinian Health Ministry. But everybody must know
that Saudi medical relief efforts are pursuant to the Saudi Arabia's
unchangeable position dictated by its belief, conscience and
belonging to Arab and Islamic nation. Upon directives of King
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and direct supervision of Prince Naif bin
Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior, Saudi Arabia will continue its daily
three-pronged medical aid to Palestinians: relief airlift, air
ambulance shuttles and land supply convoys.

--SPA