Egypt and US agree to allow aid into Gaza

US President Joe Biden and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday agreed to open up the Rafah crossing to allow up to 20 trucks of aid into Gaza. This will likely happen by Friday, said President Biden

The Rafah crossing is the southernmost post of exit from Gaza and borders Egypt’s Sinai peninsula. Rafah is now the only crossing point for humanitarian aid, after Israel shut other border crossings from and into the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians have been gathering at the Rafah crossing in the hope of leaving ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive. The UN has also been positioning food and medical supplies at the border point preparing for its opening. Usually, it is not easy for Palestinians to leave Gaza via Rafah. Those who wish to must register with the local Palestinian authorities up to four weeks in advance and may be rejected by either the Palestinian or Egyptian authorities with little explanation.

Asked by reporters on the possibility of letting people leave via Rafah, Biden said: “We’re going to get people out, but I’m not going to go into any detail with you now.”

(BBC)