Humanitarian Aid Enters Gaza Through Egypt’s Rafah Border Crossing

Egypt opened its Rafah border crossing Saturday to allow 20 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The Details: The convoy included four trucks from the World Health Organization which transported medicine and equipment to treat 1,200 injured people, 1,500 patients with chronic illnesses and enough basic supplies for 300,000 people for three months. Over 200 trucks carrying about 3,000 tons of aid still remain at the border. While it was unclear to U.S. officials before the border was opened, citizens of foreign countries were not allowed to exit Gaza to Egypt.

For Context: Israel has restricted access to food, water, and energy to Gaza since October 9. Earlier this week, President Biden, Israel, and Egypt agreed to let the trucks enter Gaza. Israel said it would allow food, water, and medicine, but no fuel, to enter, as long as the aid did not end up in the hands of Hamas. 

Key Quote: Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Palestinian citizens are not to blame for “Hamas’ horrific terrorism.” Netanyahu also said, “Israel will not thwart humanitarian supplies from Egypt as long as it is only food, water and medicine for the civilian population in the southern Gaza Strip.”

How The Media Covered It: Media across the spectrum covered the news similarly. National Review (Lean Right bias) included context on events that occurred last week when Hamas looted a warehouse of supplies intended for Gazan refugees.