As we mourn the loss of our seven colleagues and pray for the rapid and full recovery of an eighth, it has been reassuring to know that we are not alone in our grief.

We are deeply saddened by the loss on November 12, 2020, of seven of our uniformed military colleagues from three countries who died in a helicopter crash during a routine mission. This included one Czech, one French, and five U.S. MFO members, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these soldiers at this difficult time. We wish the one U.S. MFO Member who survived the crash a speedy recovery.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved colleague, Mr. Ashraf Mobariz, who died on November 5, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19. For over 32 years Ashraf’s remarkable creativity, courage, determination, and charm strengthened the peace between Egypt and Israel. As a peacemaker and colleague, he was exceptional. We will miss him greatly.

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MFO remains actively engaged with the Treaty Parties, Egypt and Israel, and receives the full cooperation necessary to carry out our mission, including our monitoring and verification operations.

For a sixth consecutive year, Japan has generously agreed to provide the MFO with supplemental funding in support of urgent needs. This year’s contribution, amounting to $1,489,363, will be used to relocate MFO Remote Site 5 inside our air terminal and to upgrade the combined facility.

The MFO is pleased to announce that Germany has again agreed to generously contribute supplemental funding to the MFO.

On 31 January 2020, MFO Deputy Director General K. Scott Gudgeon retired after nearly 35 years of service to the MFO. On that date, the MFO Director General presented Mr. Gudgeon with the MFO Distinguished Service for Peace Award, the highest honor the MFO can confer.

Major General Evan Williams of New Zealand assumed command of the Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai from Major General Simon Stuart of Australia on 1 December 2019.