Egypt Says Hundreds of Trucks Stranded at Rafah Crossing Due to Israeli Obstacles
(AWP) - Hundreds of aid trucks are stranded in the city of al-Arish and outside the Rafah crossing, hampered by Israeli inspection measures at Karm Abu Salem and al-Ouja crossing, said an Egyptian official at Rafah crossing.
“The crossing is open all day, and has never been shut down on the Egyptian side,” the source said in statements to the Arab World Press (AWP).
He dismissed Israel’s allegations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Egypt was responsible for failure to deliver sufficient aid into the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian source pointed out that hundreds of trucks carrying aid and fuel are prepared daily, but they first go for inspection by Israel at the crossings of Karm of Abu Salem and al-Ouja, “in accordance with the mechanism approved by Egypt, the United States and Israel, and through which Israel allowed the aid deliveries.”
“As a result of the deliberately slow inspection procedures on the part of Israel, hundreds of trucks remain stuck on the Egyptian side of the crossing, waiting for the finalization of procedures to enter Gaza,” he said.
The source noted that the Israeli side also delays the exit of wounded and sick persons, as well as foreigners, from Gaza.
An official with the Egyptian Red Crescent in North Sinai told AWP that 150 trucks of aid and four of fuel are prepared to enter Gaza.
“A new batch of wounded and sick people has been received, and will cross to the Egyptian side for treatment at hospitals,” he added.