Rafah border opens for first aid trucks to Gaza
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Medical aid is included in the first group of trucks carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip after "Israel", Egypt, and the US caused a mass delay to the Rafah border opening.
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The closed gate to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the southern Gaza Strip on Oct 19, 2023 (AFP)
According to Al-Arabiya on Saturday, the Rafah border crossing has opened to allow the first trucks carrying humanitarian aid, which amount to 20, to Gaza from Egypt. Among the aid supplies were medical supplies and other things not specified yet.
Sputnik reported on Friday that around 200 trucks with humanitarian aid were waiting for the border to open. This comes after "Israel" refused to open the border at first, and then the US agreed to open it only to allow those carrying foreign passports to leave Gaza.
An American official confirmed to AFP last Saturday that Egypt and "Israel" have achieved an arrangement allowing Americans to depart Gaza via Rafah.
Humanitarian aid on a clock
Supplies, including food, medication, water purification equipment, hygiene items, and blankets, have been accumulating at El Arish airport in Egypt's Sinai region. The airport expanded its capacity by opening an additional landing strip to manage the influx of aid deliveries.
However, humanitarian aid destined for Palestinians faces uncertainty, with growing concerns about the deteriorating conditions for the population trapped in the besieged Strip amid non-stop hysteric bombardment. Various sources revealed on Thursday that the Rafah Crossing, which is crucial for aid transport, is unlikely to open on Friday as initially anticipated for the first aid convoy, CNN reported.
Cairo is facing increased pressure to allow Palestinians to flee into Egypt, while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned Blinken on Friday that the forced displacement of the Gazans would lead to a "second Nakba."
"Israel" bombed Rafah today, Saturday and last week which left an entire family in the Strip's south murdered. The shelling resulted in scores of casualties being reported between martyrs and wounded as a result of the occupation's extensive shelling.
Reports suggest that the number of martyrs is at least 11, with five being injured in an air raid that targeted a residential building in Khan Yunis.
"Israel" has cut off water, food, and energy supplies to the Strip, which has made life unbearable for more than 2 million Gazans. Thus a glaring question arises: What will aid trucks do to a besieged population in the world's largest "open-air prison"?
