Humanitarian convoy passes through Rafah border crossing into Gaza Strip
According to Al-Qahera al-Ihbariya, the trucks are carrying medicines, food, and drinking water
CAIRO, October 22. /TASS/. A convoy of trucks with relief aid for people in the Gaza Strip passed through the Rafah border crossing on Sunday evening, the Al-Qahera al-Ihbariya television channel reported.
According to Al-Qahera al-Ihbariya, the trucks are carrying medicines, food, and drinking water.
According to the Al Hadath television channel, the convoy includes 14 trucks that failed to reach the enclave in the morning. It was reported earlier that 17 trucks with humanitarian cargoes entered the enclave in the morning. The television channel did not explain why 14 trucks had been delayed, however Al-Qahera al-Ihbariya reported earlier that shooting had been heard near the checkpoint on the Palestinian side in the afternoon when the convoy was still at the checkpoint.
On Saturday, the first convoy of 20 trucks with humanitarian assistance entered the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing. The Egyptian side reportedly plans to sent 40 more trucks on Monday.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said earlier that Egypt had never closed the Rafah crossing point but Israeli strikes disrupted its smooth operation. He pledged that Egypt is ready to "ensure stable operation of the Rafah ground crossing."
Last week, Egypt called on the world community, as well as regional and international organizations willing to send humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to deliver cargoes to Al Arish International Airport. According to the Egyptian foreign ministry, "Israeli bombardments hamper smooth operation of the checkpoint." Egypt called on Israel to cease fire.