Stop, keep going, stop. Activity is fluctuating at the Rafah border crossing, which links Egypt and the Gaza Strip and was subjected to a barrage of Israeli fire following Hamas’ massive offensive on Saturday, October 7. The area surrounding this unique border crossing, which is not controlled by Israel, was bombed twice on Tuesday alone, Egyptian media reported, citing local witnesses and security sources. According to them, the Israeli attacks took place on the Palestinian side of Rafah and activities had ceased since the last salvo. The first bomb attack on Monday evening damaged the main street.
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“I advise the residents of Gaza who can to go out [de l’enclave] “An Israeli army spokesman said on Tuesday, assuring that “the Rafah border crossing is open.” A few hours later, Avichay Adraee, another IDF spokesman, returned to these statements on Residents are directed to areas and shelters within Gaza’s borders. »
The threat looming over the Rafah border post is a cause for concern for Egyptian authorities. In the eyes of their public opinion, they cannot leave the enclave completely isolated from the rest of the world and want a humanitarian corridor to be maintained. Without this corridor, Cairo fears that a panicked and deprived population will gather at its border – which is not yet the case. On Tuesday, entry into Egypt remained subject to approval. Normally it is reserved for Palestinians who require significant medical care or who travel through Sinai to travel abroad.
Provide emergency assistance
Egypt and Jordan have announced their intention to provide humanitarian assistance through Rafah. King Abdullah II spoke on Tuesday of a future delivery “in coordination with Egypt”. Cairo, which has also been called for by international organizations for a humanitarian corridor, wants to bring food to Gaza.
“Both countries show their determination in this direction. The fate of the convoys they chartered will be a test of what is possible or not, as the Israelis ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip on Monday,” said sociologist Said Sadek from the Egyptian capital. The Egyptian Red Crescent was able to deliver medical aid to the Palestinian enclave on Sunday evening. But strikes near the border crossing on Monday and Tuesday forced other relief trucks to turn around, according to several media outlets.
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