In a significant move, road repair machinery has been dispatched from Egypt into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, signaling a vital step toward delivering stored humanitarian aid from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
The reopening of the crossing, which had been inactive due to Israeli airstrikes during the conflict in Gaza, marks a positive development for the region.
The United States and Egypt, in collaboration with Israel, have successfully negotiated the passage of up to 20 trucks through the Rafah crossing, with plans for additional trucks in the coming days, according to an announcement from the White House.
Diplomatic efforts have intensified, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi holding crucial meetings with top U.S. military officials overseeing Middle East operations and Jordan’s King Abdullah to facilitate the aid delivery process.
Before the conflict erupted on October 7, a significant portion of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents depended on humanitarian aid. The United Nations had been sending around 100 trucks daily to provide essential relief to the region. As of Thursday, over 100 trucks were queued on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing.
The aid, crucial for the people of Gaza, was scheduled to enter the region on Friday. Additionally, more aid is stockpiled in the Egyptian city of Al Arish, approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Rafah, ready for swift delivery.