2023-11-02 14:54:51
Rafah Crossing: “A relative breakthrough” in the crises of aid, the wounded, and foreigners
Egypt’s reception of a number of wounded and foreigners arriving from the Gaza Strip, as well as the introduction of new aid shipments into the Strip, showed a “relative breakthrough” in the crisis at the “Rafah crossing” linking Egypt and the Palestinian territories.
While Egypt continued to bring shipments of relief and medical aid into the Gaza Strip, US President Joe Biden said that he expected his country’s citizens to leave the Gaza Strip starting on Wednesday and in the coming days. Britain and France also reported that their citizens would leave the Strip in stages.
During more than 26 days of Israeli bombing of Gaza, Cairo held Tel Aviv responsible for the slow entry of aid or provision of medical support, and said, “The crossing is open from the Egyptian side, but Israel refuses or is intransigent regarding the entry of aid.”
In turn, the Egyptian Red Crescent announced (Wednesday) the delivery of the ninth batch of humanitarian aid to its Palestinian counterpart through the Rafah crossing. While dozens of injured people and those holding dual nationalities crossed towards Egypt, Cairo called for intensifying aid to the Palestinians.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stressed (Wednesday) “the necessity of coordinating international efforts to remove the obstacles placed by the Israeli side to the full and sustainable access of aid.”
Dozens of Palestinians wounded as a result of the Israeli aggression arrived at Al-Arish General Hospital and Bir Al-Abd Specialist Hospital in North Sinai (Wednesday).
Signing a medical examination for families following they leave the Rafah crossing (Egyptian Ministry of Health)
The official Middle East News Agency in Egypt, citing medical sources, reported that “medical teams have been provided on the Egyptian side of Rafah to receive wounded Palestinians, classify their health conditions, and distribute them to hospitals to receive treatment via 40 equipped ambulances.”
This is the first time since the start of the recent Israeli operations in Gaza that the Rafah crossing (the only one not controlled by Israel) has received wounded and wounded.
Health Care
“Egyptian Health” increased the capacity of its hospitals in Ismailia Governorate (near North Sinai) to receive the injured and sick, ensuring their balanced distribution to “ensure that services are provided to them to the fullest extent,” while the Ministry mobilized its various facilities and medical teams in Al-Arish, Bir al-Abd and Sheikh Zuweid hospitals. In North Sinai Governorate.
A medical official in North Sinai reported that “the first hospital was established on an area of 1,300 square meters to receive the wounded Palestinians in the city of Sheikh Zuweid, 15 kilometers from Rafah.”
Dual nationals
In this context, the first batch of foreign nationals and Palestinians with dual nationalities arrived (Wednesday) from Gaza to Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. Egyptian media reported the first footage of women and children crossing through the crossing. Cairo News Channel reported that “the first group of holders of dual nationalities was allowed to leave the Gaza Strip through the Rafah land crossing,” while the Secretary-General of the Egyptian Red Crescent in North Sinai, Raed Abdel Nasser, indicated “the entry of foreigners and holders of foreign and dual nationalities.” From Gaza to Egypt via the crossing.” He added, according to the German News Agency, that “the remaining 525 foreigners scheduled to enter (Wednesday) are arriving.”
Palestinians arrive (Wednesday) at the Rafah crossing on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip (AP)
In this context, the Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad, Ismail Khairat, announced (Wednesday) the arrangements for the evacuation of foreign nationals and their families through the Egyptian Rafah border crossing. He said during a briefing session for the embassies of foreign countries regarding the arrangements for the Rafah crossing, which was held at the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “The Egyptian authorities are working to allow the entry and crossing of all nationals of foreign countries and their families through the Egyptian Rafah border crossing, in accordance with the instructions and regulating laws, and the first group of them passed (Wednesday).” While continuing to provide humanitarian aid to the Strip.” He added that with regard to the transit visa, “nationals of foreign countries and their families will be granted a transit visa through the Egyptian Rafah land crossing, in accordance with the instructions and rules regulating this regard, with the accredited diplomatic missions undertaking to travel to those countries directly.”
Biden
For his part, US President Joe Biden said that he “expects his country’s citizens to leave the Gaza Strip (Wednesday), following allowing the exit of foreigners and those holding dual nationalities from the Strip through the Rafah crossing.” Biden continued in a post on the “X” platform: “We will not stop working to get the Americans out of Gaza,” praising what he called “American leadership” that made it possible to provide safe passage for wounded Palestinians and foreign nationals to leave Gaza.
An American citizen displays his passport while waiting (Wednesday) to cross from Gaza to Egypt (dpa)
Britain also reported that the departure of its citizens from the besieged sector will “most likely take place in stages over the next few days,” and the British Foreign Office stated on the “X” platform: “What we have learned is that the (Rafah) crossing will be opened for limited and controlled periods to allow specific groups of foreign citizens and infected people.” “Seriously injured.” She added: “Therefore, Britons are likely to leave Gaza in stages over the next few days.”
Paris announced the departure of “a first group including five French citizens” among more than 400 foreigners and dual nationals who were evacuated (Wednesday) from Gaza. The French Foreign Ministry said: “We are continuing our efforts so that any of our citizens, employees, and their families who wish can leave Gaza as soon as possible.” “As soon as possible,” she explained, explaining that “regarding fifty French citizens and their families are currently in the Gaza Strip.” The five French nationals who were evacuated are “humanitarian workers,” according to sources from non-governmental organizations. In total, “76 injured Palestinians and 335 foreigners and dual nationals were removed from the Gaza Strip” (Wednesday), according to an Egyptian official.
Truck crossing
Meanwhile, Cairo News Channel reported that 40 relief aid trucks had crossed into Gaza through the Rafah crossing. She pointed out, on Wednesday evening, that “50 more trucks will cross successively during today’s hours.”
The head of the Egyptian State Information Service, Diaa Rashwan, confirmed (Tuesday) from the Rafah crossing during his visit with the Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, that “Egypt is ready to bring thousands of aid trucks into Gaza, and he blamed Israeli inspection operations for the slow flow of aid.” The humanitarian aid that the besieged sector desperately needs.”
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