Egypt: More than 45,000 aid trucks enter Gaza despite obstacles

70% of the total aid to Gaza is Egyptian

Egypt: More than 45,000 aid trucks enter Gaza despite obstacles

In response to accusations that Egypt is closing the Rafah crossing and contributing to the suffering of the people of the Gaza Strip, Egyptian military spokesman Brigadier General Gharib Abdel Hafez released a video on Friday highlighting Egypt's ongoing efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Strip.

Gharib stated that international aid to the Gaza Strip begins at El Arish Airport in Sinai, where 1,022 planes carrying more than 27,247 tons of international aid from various countries have landed so far. El Arish Seaport has also received 32 ships carrying approximately 74,779 tons of relief supplies.

Israel Destroyed the Crossing

The military spokesman explained the route of aid heading to Gaza before Israel took control of it last year. Aid traveled to the Rafah border crossing, then to the Auja crossing, then to the Nitzan crossing for inspection. The inspection process took 18 to 24 hours. The aid then entered the Gaza Strip via the Palestinian Red Crescent, through the Rafah crossing on the Palestinian side, and then entered the Gaza Strip. UNRWA trucks also traveled through the Kerem Shalom crossing to reach the Strip.

The military spokesman revealed that after Israel took control of the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side on May 7, 2024, the main lifeline ceased to operate. Israel destroyed the Rafah crossing on the Palestinian side, leading to increased reliance on airdrops and the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The military spokesman pointed to the Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid, which were emphasized by many countries and humanitarian organizations, including more than 100 non-governmental relief organizations. He emphasized Egypt's continued support for the people of the Gaza Strip despite the restrictions.

70% of Total Aid is Egyptian

Gharib added that Egypt has succeeded in bringing in more than 70% of the total aid, which has so far reached 45,125 trucks carrying a total load of more than 500,000 tons of medical and food aid. This includes 368,000 tons of Egyptian aid, 132,000 tons from various countries, 209 ambulances, and 81,380 tons of fuel.

The military spokesman also explained that the Egyptian Armed Forces have carried out 168 airdrops over the Gaza Strip, carrying 3,730 tons of aid since the start of the war on the Strip. The military spokesman also noted that Egypt has received more than 18,560 injured residents of the Gaza Strip for treatment in Egyptian hospitals.

Regarding recent aid delivery efforts, the military spokesman said that between July 27 and August 4, 1,341 aid trucks entered through the Kerem Shalom crossing. He confirmed that approximately 5,000 more trucks are currently backlogged inside Egypt awaiting the opening of the crossings.

It is noteworthy that Brotherhood members and leaders staged demonstrations besieging Egyptian embassies in several European countries a few weeks ago, demanding pressure on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing, despite the fact that Israel controls the Palestinian side of the crossing. Brotherhood leaders and members also demonstrated in front of the Egyptian embassy in Tel Aviv, demanding that Cairo open the crossing to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Egypt maintains that the crossing is open.