Uncertainty Surrounds Aid Deliveries and Evacuations in Gaza as Ceasefire Deal Disputed
CAIRO – The fate of aid deliveries and limited evacuations through the only entry to Gaza not controlled by Israel was in question on Monday, after conflicting reports emerged regarding a temporary truce. Egyptian sources stated that a ceasefire had been agreed upon, allowing for aid to be delivered, and limited evacuations of foreign passport holders from Gaza. However, both Israel and Hamas denied the existence of any deal.
The situation in Gaza has been dire, with over 2 million people under siege since Israel launched a barrage of attacks and imposed a blockade as a response to an assault by Hamas Islamist militants. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of more than 600,000 Gazans and a depletion of vital supplies.
The Rafah crossing between Egypt’s Sinai peninsula and Gaza, which has been closed due to Israeli strikes on the Palestinian side, was expected to reopen following the alleged ceasefire. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his visit to Cairo, had announced that a mechanism had been agreed upon with Israel to deliver aid.
However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement denying the existence of a truce and the provision of humanitarian aid in exchange for foreign evacuations. Similarly, Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq dismissed reports of Rafah reopening or a ceasefire.
According to Egyptian security sources, they were perplexed by the Israeli denial after receiving previous confirmations. Sources at the Rafah crossing confirmed that there were no bombardments on Monday and that the Egyptian side was prepared for reopening.
Meanwhile, hundreds of tonnes of aid from NGOs and various countries awaited permission to enter Gaza, as trucks were stationed in the nearby Egyptian town of Al-Arish. Reuters also captured video footage of U.N.-flagged fuel trucks leaving Gaza for Egypt through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing.
The conflicting reports and denials have created a sense of uncertainty and frustration regarding the delivery of much-needed aid to Gaza. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging all parties to find a resolution and alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza.
Reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan in Cairo, Dan Williams in Jerusalem, Yusri Mohamed in Ismailia, Nidal Al Mughrabi in Gaza; Additional reporting by Aidan Lewis and Nadine Awadallah; Writing by Tala Ramadan and Nafisa Eltahir; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Toby Chopra, and Andrew Cawthorne