Aid via Rafah ongoing, contrary to reports: Gaza Media Office

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
2 Dec 2023 03:33

The Government Media Office in Gaza denies reports about the closure of the Rafah border crossing following the end of the temporary truce.

Workers from the Palestinian Red Crescent unload lorries carrying humanitarian aid after they entered the Gaza Strip from Egypt via the Rafah border crossing on October 21, 2023. (AFP)

The Government Media Office in Gaza has refuted circulating reports about the closure of the Rafah border crossing following the end of the temporary truce and the resumption of the Israeli aggression on the Strip, affirming that the crossing is operating normally this Saturday.

The government's denial follows outlets claiming a "complete closure of the [border] crossing, its evacuation from both sides, and the withdrawal of trucks present on the Egyptian side."

Rafah has served as the sole entry point for aid into Gaza since "Israel" initiated a complete siege on October 7 and launched a streak of attacks on roads and routes connecting the passage point into the Strip.

Reuters, citing security sources and aid organizations, reported earlier a halt in the entry of aid and fuel trucks into Gaza via the crossing following the resumption of the Israeli aggression and intense strikes on Palestinian territory near the Rafah entry point.

Additionally, the Palestinian Red Crescent also reported that the Israeli occupation prevented the entry of aid through the Rafah land crossing after the end of the ceasefire.

The head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS) stated, "Egypt deeply regrets the breaking of the temporary truce in the Gaza Strip and is currently exerting maximum efforts with partners to return to the ceasefire as soon as possible."

This statement coincided with intense Israeli strikes targeting the city of Rafah, resulting in the martyrdom of dozens of Palestinians and injuring tens of others.

On Friday morning, right after the truce expired at 7:00 am, "Israel" resumed its aggression on Gaza, which has resulted so far in over 190 martyrs across the Strip amid the ongoing mass bombardment.

During the days of the temporary ceasefire, which lasted seven days, including extension periods, aid entered the Gaza Strip from Egypt through the Rafah crossing. However, the Media Office in Gaza confirmed that "the aid that entered does not exceed 1% of the Strip's needs."

Lengthy Delays and Control by 'Israel'

The UN has been calling for the opening of the "Kerem Shalom" crossing near Rafah by "Israel", a crossing that handled substantial quantities of goods before the entity launched its war on the Strip. However, "Israel" has consistently refused the requests, implementing what was called by international human rights organizations and many world leaders as "collective punishment", while a large number of mentioned parties considered it a war crime.

During the truce, approximately 200 aid trucks were permitted to enter Gaza daily, more than double the pre-truce average but less than the pre-war levels of up to 500 trucks daily.

Before the temporary ceasefire, Egyptian truck drivers faced challenges unloading at Rafah, with goods transferred to another truck for distribution in Gaza sometimes interrupted by fuel shortages due to the blockade or Israeli bombardments.

As the aggression resumed, truck drivers anticipated potential delays, noting the need for security clearance for the numerous aid loads already at Al-Awja, potentially causing extended wait times.