The UN will bring aid into Gaza in accordance with Egyptian laws, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Friday in a press conference at Egypt’s Rafah crossing.
Egypt is a sovereign country and its laws must be recognized, he stressed.
Guterres added that it is absolutely necessary to solve the crisis of aid access to the Gaza Strip, and the Palestinian people should not be punished further by refusing aid.
He added that there are requirements for documentation, which must be effective and done in a practical and quick manner.
“We are working effectively with Egypt, Israel and the UN to ensure that conditions are clarified and restrictions are reduced in order to bring trucks in the Strip as quickly as possible, to provide the requirements for the people of Gaza,” he said.
Egypt is the main pillar for providing hope to the people of Gaza, he said.
UN experts previously said on the situation, “We are sounding the alarm: There is an ongoing campaign by Israel resulting in crimes against humanity in Gaza. Considering statements made by Israeli political leaders and their allies, accompanied by military action in Gaza and escalation of arrests and killing in the West Bank, there is also a risk of genocide against the Palestine people.”
Rafah crossing opens up
Officials at the Rafah crossing began removing the concrete barriers at the crossing, and aid trucks were stationed on Friday in front of the crossing gate awaiting an approval to cross to the Palestinian side.
The officials also prepared the road leading to the Palestinian side, as truck drivers carrying humanitarian and medical aid began moving from the city of Al-Arish towards the Rafah land crossing.
Governor of North Sinai Mohamed Abdel Fadil Shusha announced that trucks are being deployed to save time when the port is opened to provide a safe passage for humanitarian aid to cross the Gaza Strip.
According to Shusha, 14 planes arrived from several countries carrying about 3,000 tons of food and medical aid provided by a several parties to the people of Gaza Strip.
