(CNN) – A CNN correspondent at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza witnessed the entry of five United Nations fuel trucks into Gaza on Monday afternoon.
This will be the first entry of fuel trucks since before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. The United Nations will have to coordinate the movement of these fuel trucks with Israel.
The United Nations fuel store is located at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, which connects Gaza and Israel, and adjacent to the Rafah crossing, which connects Gaza and Egypt.
The entry of fuel trucks comes after a widespread appeal to allow much-needed aid into the besieged Gaza area.
Egypt faces mounting pressure to act as neighboring Gaza comes under Israeli strikes following last weekend’s violent attack by Hamas on Israel.
Following the Hamas attacks, Israel closed its border crossings with Gaza (Kerem Shalom and Erez) and imposed a “total blockade” on the Strip, preventing supplies of fuel, electricity and water.
The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt was left as the only viable port for getting people out of the Strip – and getting supplies in.
But the crossing remained closed for most of last week. Neither Gazans nor foreigners were able to cross.
Aid is stuck at the crossing as vital humanitarian supplies for Gazans pile up on the Egyptian side of the border.
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2023-10-16 15:32:08
