Rafah Crossing to Open for Humanitarian Aid: Egypt Prepares to Receive Injured Palestinians
In a bid to extend support to injured Palestinians, Egypt is set to open the Rafah border crossing, allowing the transfer of a number of wounded individuals from Gaza. As reported by Egyptian media outlets on Tuesday evening, plans are underway to facilitate the reception and transfer of Palestinian casualties.
Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt (archives - Agence France-Presse)
According to sources cited by “Al Kahera Wal Nas” TV, Egyptian authorities have made preparations to receive and provide medical assistance to these individuals, in coordination with hospitals in Gaza. The current arrangements include the coordination of critical cases for treatment in Egypt, contingent upon ensuring secure routes through the Rafah crossing.
نقلاً عن “القاهرة الإخبارية”.. فتح معبر رفح غداً لاستقبال عدد من الجرحى الفلسطينيين pic.twitter.com/ntyxrlYDb8
— CBC Egypt (@CBCEgypt) October 31, 2023
Concurrently, sources from the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing confirmed that 81 wounded individuals are slated to depart for medical treatment in Egypt. Additionally, a delegation from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently visited El-Arish in northern Egypt to discuss collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Egyptian Red Crescent regarding the readiness of healthcare facilities for potential medical evacuations of Palestinian patients.
Expressing the need for a humanitarian ceasefire to facilitate the flow of aid into Gaza, Josep Borrell, the representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, emphasized the necessity of safeguarding all civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law during his engagements with Middle Eastern leaders.
Notably, on the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing, Wael Abu Mahsen, the media director, confirmed that 39 aid trucks entered Gaza through the crossing today. This brings the total number of aid trucks entering since the conflict’s onset to 196. Nevertheless, a spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) stressed that the aid entering Gaza remains a mere fraction of the region’s pressing needs, underscoring the requirement for the daily influx of 100 aid trucks to address the substantial humanitarian requirements.
This development underscores the ongoing humanitarian efforts and the essential need for extensive aid to address the escalating crisis in the region.
