Synopsis
Egypt has resumed sending humanitarian aid trucks to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect. Initial deliveries include 95 trucks, with more on the way to address the urgent needs of Gaza's residents, following recent conflicts.Key Takeaways
- Egypt resumes aid to Gaza.
- Ceasefire agreement in effect.
- Over 500 aid trucks expected.
- Health ministers inspect readiness.
- Severe humanitarian crisis ongoing.
Cairo, Jan 19 (NationPress) Egypt has recommenced the dispatch of humanitarian aid trucks to the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the enclave following the implementation of the recently established ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as reported by Egyptian State TV.
The first wave included 95 aid trucks that crossed into Gaza, with an additional 500 trucks expected to follow throughout the day, according to reports from the Xinhua news agency.
On Saturday morning, Egypt’s Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar and Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy arrived at Arish Airport to assess hospitals’ preparedness for treating injured Gazans and to oversee the final logistics for aid delivery.
Prior to this, on Friday evening, the AlQahera News Channel reported that numerous aid trucks were queued at the Rafah crossing, poised to enter Gaza with tens of thousands of vital food supplies for the local population.
Arish, along with its airport in North Sinai, functions as a key hub for the influx and transit of international relief aid to Gaza.
Since May 2024, aid deliveries have faced significant interruptions due to the occupation of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing by Israeli forces.
Qatar announced a three-stage ceasefire deal late Wednesday aimed at concluding over 15 months of destructive Israeli assaults on Gaza.
Local health officials report that nearly 47,000 Palestinians, the majority being women and children, have died, and more than 110,700 have been injured since the onset of Israel’s devastating military actions on October 7, 2023.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its military operations in the enclave.
