UN: The reopening of the Rafah crossing for humanitarian aid remains uncertain

Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated on Wednesday that there is still no news regarding the reopening of the Rafah border crossing for the passage of humanitarian aid from Egypt to Gaza. The office of the Israeli Prime Minister had previously confirmed that Israel would not prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza through this crossing. However, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attributed the bombardment by Israel as the reason for the closure of this vital crossing. In a press conference alongside German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, el-Sisi said, 'Egypt has not closed the Rafah crossing since the beginning of the crisis, but the bombardment by Israel from the Palestinian side has prevented its opening.' El-Sisi also urged the international community to 'facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.' According to a CNN report from the Egyptian side of the border, intermittent explosions were observed throughout Wednesday from the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing. Aid convoy drivers and volunteers have been waiting on the Egyptian side of the crossing since early Tuesday. Diplomatic efforts for a temporary ceasefire and the temporary reopening of the Rafah crossing continue. Israel states it will not prevent aid from entering Gaza from Egypt. A convoy of aid trucks has arrived at the Egypt-Gaza crossing. Israeli bombardments in Gaza continue; efforts to assist the residents of the area are ongoing. Attacks on Gaza continue; the Israeli army states it has targeted Hamas positions.