Egypt says 'Israeli obstacles' impeding aid delivery to Gaza

Before the conflict, about 500 trucks a day were crossing into Gaza, but in recent days, an average of only 12 trucks a day have entered.

 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi greets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during the Cairo international summit for peace in the Middle East in the New Administrative Capital (NAC), east of Cairo, Egypt, October 21, 2023 (photo credit: THE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENCY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi greets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during the Cairo international summit for peace in the Middle East in the New Administrative Capital (NAC), east of Cairo, Egypt, October 21, 2023
(photo credit: THE EGYPTIAN PRESIDENCY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

Egypt's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday "Israeli obstacles" including truck inspection procedures were impeding the prompt delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Palestinian enclave.

"The trucks must be inspected at the Israeli Nitzana crossing before they head to the Rafah crossing on a journey that takes a distance of 100 kilometers (62 miles) before they actually enter the Rafah crossing, which causes obstacles that significantly delay the arrival of aid," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

 Getting aid into Gaza (credit: REUTERS)
Getting aid into Gaza (credit: REUTERS)

A border source said that trip results in a 16-hour delay and was the reason why the number of trucks never again reached a high of 20 achieved on the first day deliveries were restarted.

The Rafah crossing, which is controlled by Egypt and does not border Israel, has become the main point of aid delivery since Israel imposed a siege on Gaza in retaliation for an attack by Hamas terrorists from the coastal strip on October 7.

Before the conflict, about 500 trucks a day were crossing into Gaza, but in recent days, an average of only 12 trucks a day have entered, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday.

Top goal: Destroy Hamas

Israel has vowed to wipe out the Hamas group that rules Gaza, which it says killed 1,400 people and took hundreds hostage in an October 7 assault on southern Israel.

 UMANITARIAN AID crosses from Egypt to Gaza, at the Rafah crossing, this week. Hamas belligerence has led to an Egyptian and Israeli attempt to control what comes into Gaza. Does that make it an open-air prison?  (credit: Palestine Red Crescent Society/Reuters)
UMANITARIAN AID crosses from Egypt to Gaza, at the Rafah crossing, this week. Hamas belligerence has led to an Egyptian and Israeli attempt to control what comes into Gaza. Does that make it an open-air prison? (credit: Palestine Red Crescent Society/Reuters)

Gaza's besieged people had barely any communications with the outside world on Saturday as Israeli jets dropped more bombs and suggested a long-threatened ground offensive against Hamas was starting. Palestinian authorities say more than 7,000 have been killed.