Turkish presidential plane with medical aid destined for Gaza departs

By Ozcan Yildirim

A Turkish presidential aircraft, loaded with medicines and medical supplies destined for the Gaza Strip, has departed from Ankara to Egypt’s capital Cairo.

A group of 20 expert health care professionals are also on board the plane that took off from Ankara Esenboga Airport at 10:45 a.m. local time (0745GMT).

This team, which includes doctors, will conduct feasibility studies for field hospitals to be established at Egypt's El-Arish Airport in the Sinai Peninsula and the Rafah border crossing as part of the planning in cooperation with the Egyptian Health Minister.

"Our plane has taken off for Gaza with aid. The presidential plane, loaded with medicine and medical supplies, and carrying 20 expert physicians, is now en route from Ankara to Egypt," Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on X.