New batch of humanitarian aid enters Gaza

CAIRO – 22 October 2023: A new convoy of humanitarian aid entered into the Gaza Strip from the Egyptian side through the Rafah border crossing, Al Qahera News reported.

Previously, the channel reported that Rafah border crossing to open tomorrow to deliver 40 humanitarian aid trucks to the Palestinians in Gaza.

This morning second batch of aid to Gaza being delivered through Egypt's Rafah Border Crossing, comprising 20 trucks carrying food and medical supplies, arrived in the strip Sunday one day after the arrival of the first batch that consisted of 20 trucks.

Al-Qahera News correspondent said that there were 170 aid trucks in front of the crossing, and that they were ready to enter Gaza at any time. Also, North Sinai Governor Mohamed Shosha stated last week that aid provided by Egyptian NGOs and entities had totaled 3,000 tons.

The delivery of aid to Gaza through Egypt began on Saturday with 20 trucks. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) Martin Griffiths told press that "it's incredibly important that there is no gap in the aid going across the border," adding that essential needs in Gaza would be met by 100 lorries daily, as reported by Reuters.

As Israel fears aid would fall in the hands of Hamas, Griffiths stated that "tough but fair" negotiations were underway with the Israelis "on a verification system," stressing the salience of setting "a light, efficient, random hopefully, inspection system that will not slow things down."

The ERC added that negotiations also covered creating a system for tracking the use of fuel, necessary for hospitals and water provision, highlighting that the shipments delivered Saturday did not consist of any.

Describing the crisis in the enclave housing 2.3 million residents, the UN official said, "it's a lot of people and they are in serious trouble. As you know the health system is on its knees. Water is running out. People are talking about only drinking dirty water."