Authorities from Egypt, Israel and the United States have agreed on a ceasefire in the southern Gaza Strip starting at 9 a.m. local time (3 a.m. Brazil time), Portal reported on Monday (16).
Citing two Egyptian security sources, the agency reported that the ceasefire would last for a few hours and would coincide with the reopening of the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip.
According to Portal, the three countries agreed to keep Egypt’s Rafah border open until 5 p.m. local time (11 a.m. Brasília). The Israeli military, the US Embassy of Israel and Hamas did not comment, according to the agency.
1 of 1 Infographic shows borders between the Gaza Strip, Rafah, Israel and Egypt. — Photo: Editoria de arte/g1 Infographic shows borders between the Gaza Strip, Rafah, Israel and Egypt. — Photo: Editoria de arte/g1
The US had accused Hamas of blocking the agreement to open the border between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt for both the entry of aid supplies and the transit of foreign citizens.
According to US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, both the Egyptian and Israeli governments which are negotiating with US mediation to open the border have already agreed to create a corridor for the exit of foreigners. But the terrorist group that rules the Gaza Strip blocked the opening.
Another twelve Brazilians are in a building in the town of Khan Younes, further from the border with Egypt. They will have to be brought to Rafah later when there are signs that they can cross the border with Egypt.
The Brazilian government plans to collect people on Egyptian territory by plane. The plane used by the Presidency of the Republic was sent from Brasília to Rome and is awaiting authorization in the Italian capital to fly to Egypt.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke by telephone with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah alSissi. Lula called for the border to be opened and help to evacuate Brazilians.
Brazilians at the scene of the conflict
According to the Brazilian Embassy in Palestine, the house rented in Rafah where the Brazilians live is a “walking distance” from the border with Egypt.
Before arriving in Rafah, this group was in a Catholic school in Gaza that served as shelter. With tensions escalating between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas, sheltering in Gaza is no longer a safe place.
- 1st flight: 211 passengers;
- 2nd flight: 214 passengers
- 3. Flight: 69 passengers
- 4. Flight: 207 passengers
- 5. Flight: 215 passengers
Palestinians and foreigners are flocking to the southern Gaza Strip, waiting for the border with Egypt to open