Israel will not allow humanitarian aid in. Despite the opening of the Gaza-Egypt crossing

Preparations are underway to open the border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt in Rafah, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday. It added that a specific date would be announced later and the border point would only be open to passenger traffic, not humanitarian aid deliveries.

Rafah is the only border crossing connecting the Gaza Strip with Egypt. The point has been closed since it was occupied by Israeli troops in the spring of 2024, but it was opened during the nearly two-month ceasefire that began in January.

The opening of the crossing is part of the truce in the war between Israel and Hamas, which has been in force since Friday.

Israel had previously warned it might not open the crossing and limit the flow of humanitarian aid because Hamas failed to return the bodies of the killed hostages on time. The group was expected to hand over all 28 bodies by Monday, but has so far returned nine bodies.

The crossing is to be opened on Thursday, two sources told Reuters on Wednesday. It was previously reported that the point would be supervised by a civilian, unarmed mission of the European Union (EUBAM-Rafah).

“It should be emphasized that no humanitarian aid will be transported through the Rafah crossing. No agreement has been reached on this matter at any stage,” added a statement on Thursday by COGAT, the Israeli Ministry of Defense agency responsible for civilian activities in the Gaza Strip.

A senior adviser to the US government said on Wednesday evening that, contrary to circulating reports, Israel has not limited the inflow of humanitarian aid, and the US is cooperating with the UN on this matter.

Aid currently reaches the Gaza Strip through border crossings with Israel. The UN reported on Sunday significant progress and an increase in transports.

A White House representative expressed his belief that Hamas wants to return all the bodies of the hostages, but is hampered by the destruction in the Gaza Strip. He noted that numerous actions are being taken to return the bodies: countries monitoring the truce are exchanging information, foreign rescue teams are to arrive at the site to help with exhumations, and the US is also planning to pay rewards for help in finding the bodies of the kidnapped.

From Jerusalem Jerzy Adamiak (PAP)

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