Egypt Says Israel Is Not Cooperating on Delivering Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

The Rafah border crossing is inoperable due to nearby Israeli airstrikes, according to Egyptian officials

Egyptian officials said Monday that Israel is not cooperating on allowing the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza as the enclave is being pushed to the brink due to relentless Israeli airstrikes and a total siege.

According to Al Jazeera, Cairo said the Rafah border crossing that connects Egypt and Gaza has been rendered nearly inoperable due to continuous Israeli airstrikes in the area. The border crossing was closed last week as Israeli bombs fell nearby, giving Palestinians in Gaza nowhere to flee.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry also said that Israel was not allowing citizens of other countries to exit Gaza. “Until now, the Israeli government has not taken a position on opening the Rafah crossing from the Gaza side to allow the entrance of assistance and exit of citizens of third countries,” Shoukry said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed on Sunday that the Rafah border crossing would reopen for aid soon, but the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that no deal had been reached. “There is currently no cease-fire and humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the expulsion of foreigners,” Netanyahu’s office said.

Blinken was back in Israel on Monday and, according to Axios, told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that allowing aid into Gaza was vital to maintaining international support for Israel’s bombardment and expected ground invasion.

Israeli officials have previously said no humanitarian aid can enter Gaza until Hamas releases the captives it brought into the enclave. “Humanitarian aid to Gaza? No electric switch will be turned on, no water tap will be opened and no fuel truck will enter until the Israeli abductees are returned home,” said Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz.

Since Katz’s comments, Israel has said it turned on water for one community in south Gaza, but Hamas and other authorities inside the enclave have denied any water is flowing. Gazans are resorting to drinking salty and sewage-contaminated water.

As of Monday night in Gaza, at least 2,808 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 853 children and 936 women. Over 10,000 people have been wounded in the bombardment.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.