A correspondent for DZWatch reported that the Rafah Crossing has been opened, allowing aid trucks to enter the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side.
Earlier this morning, the U.S. Embassy in Israel announced that the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip would open today, Saturday, at 10:00 AM local time.
It remains unclear to what extent foreign nationals will be able to leave Gaza if the crossing is opened, and it is expected that many individuals will attempt to cross the border. The embassy advised American citizens attempting to enter Egypt to anticipate a chaotic and unorganized environment on both sides of the crossing.
The situation is described as “dynamic” and unpredictable, and the embassy stressed that each citizen bears the responsibility of assessing their personal safety and security before attempting to move towards the border or crossing.
At the same time, the U.S. Embassy announced that updated information regarding assistance in Egypt for American citizens in Gaza will be sent via email.
It is worth noting that hundreds of stranded Americans in Gaza are waiting for the Rafah Crossing to open in order to evacuate them, with estimates from The New York Times putting their numbers at between 500 and 600 individuals.
Humanitarian Crisis
Meanwhile, the government media in Gaza stated that the aid convoy entering through the Rafah Crossing would not be able to change the humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
International attention is focused on delivering aid to Gaza through the only entry point not controlled by Israel, which is the Rafah Crossing. This crossing has remained out of service since the eruption of the recent Israeli aggression on Gaza two weeks ago.
On the other hand, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that the Rafah border crossing with Gaza is open, emphasizing that it is Israel that refuses to allow aid into the region.
Israel completely closed off the Gaza Strip on October 7th of this month and targeted the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing, which is now in need of repairs.
Israel continues its aggression against Gaza, launching intensive airstrikes on the territory, resulting in massive destruction and over 4,100 casualties, with 13,000 wounded, most of whom are women and children. Israel’s actions have also led to the disruption of water, electricity, food, and medicine supplies to the people of Gaza, sparking local and international warnings of a worsening humanitarian crisis.
