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."

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:

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: