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Egyptian president agrees to open Rafah checkpoint for 20 trucks, says Biden

US President warned however that if Hamas seizes these trucks or doesn’t let them in, relief deliveries would stop

WASHINGTON, October 19. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden has said that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has agreed to open the Rafah border crossing for 20 trucks with humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.

The US leader, according to the White House, had a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart. "The two leaders discussed ongoing coordination to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza and mechanisms to ensure the aid is distributed for the benefit of the civilian population. The two leaders agreed to work together closely on encouraging an urgent and robust international response to the UN’s humanitarian appeal," it said.

After the call Biden told reporters that the Egyptian leader was "completely cooperative" and agreed to open the Rafah checkpoint to let 20 trucks with humanitarian aid. He warned however that if Hamas seizes these trucks or doesn’t let them in, relief deliveries would stop.