
Biden says aid could arrive in Gaza as soon as Friday and Egypt give the green light
Twenty trucks are preparing to enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, but the US president says aid will be stopped if Gaza is taken over by Hamas.
Trucks loaded with humanitarian aid arrive at the White House from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula in the coming days after a disruption to Joe Biden's visit to Israel following a deadly explosion at a hospital in the besieged region do.
After several hours of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet, the US president opens the Egypt-Gaza-Rafah border crossing for the delivery of urgently needed food, water and medical supplies to Israel. He said he agreed to allow the project with conditions. Humanitarian aid is not misused by Hamas for its own purposes.
"The people of Gaza need food, water, medicine and shelter," Biden said.
A large crowd waves Palestinian flags and holds posters.
After the US president's withdrawal from Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu's office said that Israel "will not prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid through Egypt."
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Biden said the most important outcome of his trip was giving the go-ahead, with reservations, to transport humanitarian aid across the Egyptian-Egyptian border to Gaza. He revealed that he was confident that he had persuaded Israel's wartime cabinet to do so.
Biden told reporters that he also spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who said he was planning to use the Rafah border crossing to allow 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip. He said he has agreed to reopen the business. Biden said roads near the border were damaged by Israeli attacks and needed repair, but aid could arrive in the area as early as Friday.
"This was a very direct negotiation that I had," Biden said. “We want to get as many trucks out as possible. I think there are about 150 pieces. Not all of them will receive the first tranche.
According to Biden, Sisi "agreed to open the gates...initially allowing up to 20 trucks to pass through."
“They fix the roads. In order for these trucks to pass, holes must be filled. And this is what happens. They expect it to take about eight hours (on Thursday). So nothing may be finalized...maybe until Friday," Biden said.
But Biden added, ``If Hamas diverts or steals aid, Then they will prove once again that they are not." This would effectively prevent the international community from providing this assistance, as it does not care about the well-being of the Palestinian people.''
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told Al Arabiya that the deliveries would be carried out under UN supervision. Told TV. . Asked if foreigners and dual nationals wishing to leave the country would be allowed to pass, he said: "As long as the intersections function properly."