In response to recurrent Israeli accusations regarding the closure of the Rafah crossing during the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities have provided a detailed refutation, presenting numerical data to counter the claims.
Muhammad Abdel Fadil Shusha, Governor of North Sinai, disclosed that approximately 10,000 individuals have crossed from Gaza into Egypt through the Rafah crossing since the onset of the conflict. This figure includes about 1,500 injured and ill Palestinian residents of Gaza seeking medical treatment in Egyptian hospitals and other friendly nations. Accompanying them were approximately 2,000 relatives, along with an additional 2,400 foreigners and Palestinians holding dual nationality. Furthermore, around 4,000 Egyptians stranded in the Gaza Strip also utilized the crossing.
Governor Shusha emphasized that the Rafah crossing has remained operational around the clock, even during official holidays. This continuous operation reflects Egypt’s commitment to providing aid to the Palestinians affected by the conflict, as reported by the Arab World News Agency (AWP).
Moreover, Governor Shusha highlighted the substantial humanitarian and medical aid influx into Gaza through both the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings since October. Over 20,000 aid trucks and numerous ambulances have entered Gaza, coming from various sources through land, air, and sea routes. Aid has been delivered through three main axes, including land routes from Egyptian and Arab institutions, air routes with 600 aircraft arriving from 52 countries and international organizations at Al-Arish International Airport, and sea routes through the port at Al-Arish receiving numerous aid-carrying ships.
To facilitate the smooth entry of aid trucks, Egypt has constructed significant logistical warehouses near the Rafah crossing, in collaboration with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the Palestinian Red Crescent.
