Hamas official calls for 'decisive' action by Egypt on Gaza aid
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Hamas politburo member Musa Abu Marzouk expressed in a statement that Egypt "should not remain a spectator."
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Egyptian Red Crescent trucks entering the Rafah border crossing on October 21, 2023 (AFP)
A top Hamas official called on Egypt to take "decisive" measures to speed up aid to Gaza on Sunday after Israeli obstacles have been making it increasingly difficult for humanitarian aid to enter the besieged strip.
The Rafah gate, which is administered by Egypt but does not border the Israeli-occupied part of Palestine, has become the major point of humanitarian distribution.
Hamas politburo member Musa Abu Marzouk expressed in a statement that Egypt "should not remain a spectator," adding that "We expect a decisive stance by Egypt allowing aid to enter Gaza as soon as possible."
According to United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Palestine Representative and Director Samer Abdel Jaber, the 40 trucks expected to enter Gaza Sunday were nowhere close to what is needed.
During an interview with CNN, he noted " We have also to note that that’s not enough compared to the soaring needs … We need more than that." Abdel Jaber explained that one million people require forty trucks of food every day, while two million require 100 trucks.
On Saturday, Egypt's Foreign Ministry divulged that "Israeli obstacles", such as truck inspection processes, were slowing the timely delivery of supplies to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border between Egypt and besieged Gaza.
Before the fighting, roughly 500 trucks per day crossed into Gaza, but in recent days, just 12 lorries per day have entered, according to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
According to a border source, that journey caused a 16-hour delay and is the reason why the number of trucks never again reached the high of 20 trucks on the first day deliveries resumed.
On October 24, UN agencies pleaded "on their knees" for unhindered access to Gaza, claiming that current supplies were insufficient to maintain the Palestinian people following two weeks of Israeli air attacks.
Since "Israel" imposed a total siege on the Strip, relentlessly bombarding it, UN organizations have made more urgent calls for help.
