Gaza Crossing Dilemma: Bid to Open War-Battered Border Takes a Setback

A US-led initiative to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and facilitate the departure of foreign nationals from the embattled region encountered obstacles on Monday, despite international warnings about the growing human toll resulting from the Israel-Hamas conflict. The United States and other regional powers are exerting pressure on Israel to permit aid into Gaza and on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing for third-country passport holders. However, as of Monday afternoon, the parties remained deadlocked, even as the United Nations and other agencies sounded the alarm about an impending humanitarian crisis.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, expressed his disappointment at the lack of progress during a press conference, saying, “The Israeli government has yet to adopt a position that would allow the opening of the border crossing from the Gaza side to facilitate the entry of aid or the departure of third-country citizens. We are fully prepared and hopeful for a breakthrough, but unfortunately, there have been no developments so far.”

Hundreds of individuals with dual citizenships were left waiting at the sealed border crossing for several hours on Monday, but many eventually lost hope and departed. Only a few dozen individuals remained at a nearby coffee shop, feeling the injustice of being exposed to danger in their attempt to leave. Rasmeya Ahmed, a dual Palestinian-Jordanian citizen, expressed her frustration, stating, “I have been coming here every day for three days, waiting for something to happen, but nothing does. The road is unsafe, and there are no vehicles available. It’s unjust. There has to be a ceasefire.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, before returning to Israel after visiting Egypt and the Gulf states, emphasized that the international community’s shared priority is “to prevent the conflict from escalating, protect innocent lives, and provide assistance to those who need it in Gaza.” Nevertheless, diplomats cautioned that bridging the gap between the parties has proven to be challenging. Egypt has agreed to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza but insists on only admitting individuals with dual citizenship into its territory. In contrast, some foreign officials claim that Israel is willing to let people leave Gaza for Egypt but is resisting the entry of humanitarian aid.

“The parties have been unable to reach a political agreement,” stated one diplomat. “Egypt does not want to accommodate Palestinian refugees, and Israel is keen on accessing Gaza for a potential ground invasion following the recent deadly attacks by Hamas.” Martin Griffiths, the UN’s chief of humanitarian affairs, stressed the need for “safe corridors to allow aid in and enable people to access aid.” He added, “Egypt has made it abundantly clear that they will not permit Palestinians from Gaza into Egypt, as they are concerned about a massive influx of people for an indefinite period that they would be responsible for.”

Griffiths called on Israel to uphold international law and protect civilians, asserting, “This includes ensuring the freedom of movement for individuals, which should not be hindered by bombing or any other military activities from either side.” Both Israel and Hamas denied reports of a temporary ceasefire being agreed upon to allow aid into Gaza. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified, “There is currently no ceasefire in place for humanitarian aid in Gaza in exchange for the evacuation of foreigners.”

Since October 7, Israel has subjected Gaza to relentless bombardment in response to a devastating assault by Hamas militants. The Israeli military claims that over 1,400 people were killed in the attack, and on Monday, they revealed that 199 individuals had been taken hostage—more than previously believed. Palestinian health officials reported that Israel’s bombing campaign had resulted in the deaths of 2,750 individuals, surpassing the casualties recorded during the 50-day Israel-Gaza war in 2014. Israel has also cut off essential supplies like electricity, water, fuel, and goods to Gaza, issuing evacuation orders to nearly half of its 2.3 million residents in the northern part of the strip in anticipation of a potential ground invasion.

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