Egyptian Negotiators Insist on Israeli Withdrawal From Rafah Crossing

Members of the Egyptian security delegation at talks held in Cairo with US and Israeli counterparts have insisted on the necessity of a full Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, so that it may be reopened to resume vital humanitarian deliveries to besieged Palestinians in Rafah and Gaza.

The delegation stressed Israel’s full responsibility for the prevention of aid deliveries through the border crossing, stating that at least 350 trucks worth of food, fuel and medical supplies should be entering the strip daily to ensure the safety and survival of more than two million Palestinians in the territory. Since May 7th - when Israel launched a full air and ground assault on Rafah - zero humanitarian aid has been able to reach the area.

The imminent threat of famine in the area was already present before the assault; that threat has now become a reality for many of those living in and around Rafah, many of whom were expressly instructed to relocate there by Israeli Occupation Forces since their invasion of Gaza began in the north of the enclave. Up until its invasion, Rafah was still classified by Israel as a ‘safe zone’. Since then, Israel has now ordered civilians to evacuate the city as it expands its invasion of Palestinian territory, but provided no clear guidance on where the millions of people now in Rafah should evacuate to.

Image taken following an Israeli attack as the Israeli Occupation Forces initiate a ground and aerial campaign in the eastern area of Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip on May 7th, 2024. (Source: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled).