20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid enter the Gaza Strip

The convoy entered through the Rafah border crossing, located in the south. The UN hopes that they will not be the last to enter.

Dos camiones con ayuda humanitaria entran en la Franja de Gaza por Rafah el 21 de octubre de 2023. — Dos camiones con ayuda humanitaria entran en la Franja de Gaza el 21 de octubre de 2023 / Cordon Press

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Alejandro Baños

21 de octubre, 2023

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The Rafah border crossing, located in the south of the Gaza Strip, was opened for the first time since Oct. 7, the day the terrorist group Hamas began carrying out its attacks against Israel. Up to 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid were able to enter the country through this pass located on the border with Egypt.

Once the trucks entered the Gaza Strip, the crossing was closed again. Martin Griffiths, undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator for the United Nations (UN), wrote in a statement that "this first convoy must not be the last."

"The 20-trucks convoy includes life-saving supplies provided by the Egyptian Red Crescent and the United Nations wich are approved to cross and be received by the Palestinian Red Crescent, with the support of the United Nations," Griffiths said. "I am confident that this delivery will be the start of a sustainable effort to provide essential supplies - including food, water, medicine and fuel - to the people of Gaza, in a safe, dependable, unconditionally and unimpeded manner."

Convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip on October 21.

Convoy of trucks with humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip on October 21 / Cordon Press

As reported by The Times of Israel, more than 200 trucks loaded with some 3,000 tons of material and aid are in Egypt waiting to access the Gaza Strip. No fuel will be brought, according to Daniel Hagari, spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

'There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza'

"There is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza," stated an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson in statements reported by The Times of Israel:

As of now, I can tell you that there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza. There are hardships in moving people within days to the south of the Gaza Strip, but the population is getting along. There is no shortage of water in Gaza, there is enough food for the coming weeks, this is in addition to the supply of medicines which, as far as we know, there is no shortage in the hospitals.

This same spokesperson pointed out that Hamas is trying to prevent residents in the northernmost areas of the Gaza Strip from traveling south to leave.

Blinken: aid "much needed"

Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked Egypt, Israel and the UN for facilitating access to the Gaza Strip for the convoy of 20 trucks carrying humanitarian material and aid: