Rafah crossing not expected to open Friday for vital Gaza aid: CNN

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: CNN
20 Oct 2023 07:32
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The Rafah crossing is not expected to open due to the "volatile situation" from previous Israeli bombings.

Palestinians wait to cross to the Egyptian side at Rafah border, Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. (AP)

The Rafah gate is not expected to open Friday for a convoy of humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, according to numerous sources.

“I would not put money on those trucks going through tomorrow,” one source familiar with the discussions told CNN.

American officials said that the situation is still volatile, explaining that roads need repair on the Egyptian side of the crossing, in addition to concerns about ensuring the sustainability of deliveries.

The source said that it’s “a really volatile situation,” adding that “these people have been waiting for food, for medicine, and water. If they’re told 20 trucks are coming in and we don’t know when is next it’s going to create a really dangerous situation. If I were in that situation, if I didn’t think there would be more trucks, I’d do everything I could to get what’s inside.”

Earlier, Egypt agreed to open the Rafah crossing into Gaza to allow 20 trucks filled with humanitarian aid through, United States President Joe Biden told reporters on Wednesday.

"He (President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi) agreed to... let up to 20 trucks through, to begin with," Biden said following a phone call with el-Sisi which he conducted from a telephone on the Presidential jet, Air Force One.

He added that the 20 trucks represented a "first tranche," but "150 or something" trucks are waiting in total. Whether the rest are allowed to cross will depend on "how it goes."

The US President failed to mention that the roads need repair due to Israeli bombs on the crossing several times since October 7.

It is worth mentioning that two days ago, at least five Palestinians were martyred in a bombing that targeted the Rafah border crossing.