Atlanta, United States (CNN) – US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken promised, on Sunday, that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt “will be open” after his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Blinken said that the Rafah crossing will be open. He added: “We are working with the United Nations, Egypt, Israel and others to establish a mechanism through which assistance can be introduced and delivered to the people who need it.”
Israel closed its border crossings with Gaza and imposed a “total siege” on the Strip, preventing supplies of fuel, electricity and water. This left the Rafah crossing as the only practical outlet for getting people out of the Strip – and getting supplies in.
Officials from several countries participated in the talks about when and to what extent the crossing could be opened.
Blinken also announced US President Joe Biden’s appointment of David Satterfield, the former US ambassador to Turkey, to help coordinate aid efforts. Blinken said that Satterfield will be in Israel on Monday to begin coordination.
Blinken, who met with several regional leaders including those of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, said he had “very good conversations” with both Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He added that every country he spoke with shared the US administration’s goal of preventing escalation and securing aid for civilians trapped in Gaza.
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2023-10-15 17:57:32
