Some 3,000 tons of aid await the opening of the Rafah crossing in Egypt

2023-10-19 15:46:05

Rafá border crossing, which connects Egypt and the Gaza Strip – Europa Press/Contact/Khaled Omar

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MADRID, 19 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The UN and NGOs have accumulated some 3,000 tons of supplies in the northern part of Egypt that are already awaiting the opening of the Rafah crossing, the only border point in the Gaza Strip that is not controlled by Israel and a vital point. of entry for humanitarian aid in the face of the current escalation of the conflict.

The Israeli government agreed on Wednesday to allow the entry of such aid, making clear that it would not open the crossings under its control and that any shipment had to be made through Rafah. The Egyptian authorities have also given their approval, although no concrete measures have been taken and bombings persist in different parts of the Strip.

The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, has called for an “immediate” humanitarian pause, before traveling to Egypt to discuss the current situation in person with President Abdel Fattá al Sisi. Aid chartered by different foreign governments is also arriving in Egypt, also waiting for the border with Gaza to open.

“Israel will not hinder supplies from Egypt as long as they are only food, water and medicine for the civilian population located in the south of the Gaza Strip,” said Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on Wednesday, following an agreement also announced by the President of the United States, Joe Biden.

The Israeli government has suggested that it will take action if supplies end up in the hands of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and has made it clear that it is not considering opening the Erez or Kerem Shalom crossings. The “complete” blockade imposed by Israel on the coastal territory in response to the Hamas attacks of October 7 has resulted in the cutting of basic supplies.