The statement from Egypt’s foreign minister affirming that the Rafah crossing is open and calling for pressure to be put on Israel underscores Egypt’s commitment to facilitating the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza, particularly amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
By keeping the Rafah crossing open, Egypt is providing a vital lifeline for Palestinians in Gaza, allowing them access to essential services, medical care, education, and other basic necessities. This is especially crucial given the restrictions imposed by Israel on the movement of goods and people through its border crossings with Gaza.
Additionally, the call for pressure to be put on Israel reflects Egypt’s recognition of the need for international engagement to address the root causes of the conflict and to ensure the rights and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation. It underscores the importance of collective action by the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to work towards a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In the face of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, it is essential that all parties involved in the conflict prioritize the well-being of civilians and take concrete steps to alleviate their suffering. This includes lifting the blockade on Gaza, allowing for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, and respecting the rights of Palestinians to freedom of movement and access to essential services.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister has called on the international community to put pressure on Israel to allow aid into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. “The Rafah crossing is open on our side,” Sameh Shoukry told journalists, “but the entry of aid is subject to approval from the Israeli side.”
Egypt’s top diplomat stressed that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is intolerable. He also emphasised that any attempt to displace Palestinians is a flagrant violation of international law.
The Rafah crossing is currently Gaza’s only window to the world. Arab and international relief trucks carry aid through the crossing after arrival at El-Arish International Airport.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Hafez said on Monday that the Rafah crossing is open and has not been closed at any stage since the beginning of the crisis in the Gaza Strip. He confirmed that the Israeli side is the one hindering the entry of aid to the enclave, “with obstructive procedures and baseless justifications.”
Hafez also expressed “strong condemnation of all claims to the contrary,” and called on those who claim the crossing is closed to refer to the statements issued by the UN and international relief officials who have visited the crossing.
The Israeli aggression continues for the 41st consecutive day, during which 11,630 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,710 children and 3,165 women, in addition to 29,800 injured, more than half of whom are children and women, according to the latest official statistics as of Wednesday evening.
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