Israel-Hamas war: Rafah border opens, aid trucks allowed into Gaza
Egypt has opened the humanitarian aid corridor via the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, per Reuters. A first convoy of 20 aid trucks carrying medicine and food supplies entered the Gaza Strip on Saturday from Egypt, Palestinian group Hamas said in a statement, per Al Jazeera. This comes days after Israel declared a total siege on Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7.
Why does this story matter?
Egypt announced the establishment of a "sustainable humanitarian corridor" that will allow assistance to reach Gaza via the Rafah border on Thursday. Hundreds of trucks carrying vital supplies were reportedly waiting to enter Gaza, which is being attacked by Israel. Earlier, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed ongoing coordination to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza with United States (US) President Joe Biden.
Nearly 200 trucks awaiting go-ahead near Rafah crossing
The relief is reportedly part of roughly 3,000 tons of assistance in 200 trucks that had been waiting for approval near the Rafah crossing for days. Of the 20 aid trucks, seven have already reached Gaza. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the supplies include trauma medicines and supplies for 1,200 people and 235 portable trauma bags for resuscitation of injured patients.
Egypt coordinating aid with US, UN
Egypt has reportedly been coordinating with the US and international humanitarian organizations under the aegis of the United Nations (UN) to ensure that aid reaches Gaza, according to Reuters. Previously, El-Sisi reportedly said that Egyptians were against the forced displacement of people from Gaza into the Sinai Peninsula. He added that if it happened, it would turn Sinai into a base for anti-Israel attacks.
Israel's siege on Gaza Strip
Following surprise attacks by Hamas from Gaza and subsequent ground invasions, Israel completely blockaded the territory and launched reiteratory air strikes. Many in Gaza, reduced to eating one meal a day and without enough water to drink, are waiting desperately for aid. Hospital workers were also in urgent need of medical supplies and fuel for their generators as they treated thousands of wounded people.
4,137 Palestinians, 1,400 Israelis killed
Gaza is bordered by Israel to the north and east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Gaza, home to 23 lakh people, has been under Israeli blockade since 2007 when Hamas seized control following the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections. Since Hamas's October 7 onslaught on Israel, 4,137 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis have died.
