Humanitarian Crisis
GAZA: Egypt agreed to reopen its border crossing with the Gaza Strip, allowing aid to reach Palestinians, as stated by the US. The humanitarian crisis worsened for the 2.3 million people trapped in the enclave, and anti-Israel protests flared across the Middle East.
In the aftermath of an Israeli air strike at Gaza’s Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital, which Palestinian officials claimed killed 471 people, the region remained volatile.
According to the Gaza health ministry, Israeli air strikes on the besieged enclave since October 7 have resulted in the deaths of 3,478 Palestinians and injuries to 12,065 others.
Protests erupted in various locations, including the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia, expressing outrage over the hospital attack. Lebanese security forces used tear gas and water cannons on protesters near the US embassy in Beirut, as shown in TV footage.
US President Joe Biden discussed aid for Gaza during a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi while returning from a brief visit to Israel. Biden announced that Sisi agreed to open the Rafah crossing from Egypt to Gaza, allowing approximately 20 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid into the enclave, where there is a severe shortage of food, water, fuel, and other essentials due to Israel’s blockade and air strikes that began 12 days ago.
While Biden did not specify a timeline for the opening, US national security spokesperson John Kirby mentioned it would occur in the coming days after road repairs.
Concerned that the conflict might escalate beyond Gaza, Biden had planned to meet with Arab leaders. However, Jordan canceled his planned summit with Egypt and the Palestinian Authority following the hospital attack.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also emphasized the risk of the Gaza conflict becoming regional, and Russia was in contact with Turkey regarding the matter, as reported by the Interfax news agency.
UN Advocates Daily Delivery of 100 Trucks to Address Urgent Humanitarian Needs
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths informed the Security Council of the organization’s intention to return aid deliveries to Gaza to the pre-conflict level of 100 trucks per day.
During this time, US President Biden was scheduled to address the nation from the White House, discussing the US response to Hamas’ attacks on Israel and Russia’s war in Ukraine. He had previously pledged $100 million in US assistance for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Israel had agreed “in principle” to allow aid to reach Gaza via Egypt but expressed concerns about aid being diverted by Hamas. Israel reiterated its stance that it would not permit aid through its Gaza crossing until Hamas released about 200 captives seized during a cross-border raid.
Biden emphasized the importance of facilitating aid to Gaza while ensuring Israel’s security. He urged Israelis not to be consumed by anger and emphasized the value of respecting the fundamental dignity of every human life to prevent the terrorists from winning.
China work with Egypt for stability
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Egypt’s Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouli, to collaborate in promoting stability in the Middle East amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict during their meeting in Beijing. Xi reaffirmed China’s support for a “two-state solution” to ensure peaceful coexistence between Palestine and Israel.
Xi expressed China’s willingness to strengthen cooperation with Egypt, fostering stability in the region and worldwide. He also pledged to work with Cairo to protect international fairness, justice, and the common interests of developing nations.
Egypt, amid the conflict, had largely kept its border with Gaza closed. However, on Thursday, Cairo announced its intention to permit the “sustainable” passage of humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing.
Xi appreciated Egypt’s role in de-escalating the situation and advocated for humanitarian corridors to prevent the conflict from spiraling further, possibly leading to a humanitarian crisis.
The relationship between China and Egypt has been growing, with Egypt set to become an official member of the BRICS group of emerging economies. Xi congratulated Egypt on joining BRICS and emphasized their partnership in pursuing common goals and mutual trust.
Furthermore, Russia dispatched 27 tonnes of humanitarian aid for Gaza civilians via Egypt to address the urgent needs in the region, including wheat, sugar, rice, and pasta.
