Egypt sends new aid convoy to Gaza

Gaza bears the brunt of Israeli bombs.

CAIRO, Oct. 19 (Xinhua/UNB) -- The Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) on Sunday dispatched a convoy carrying about 8,500 tons of urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as the Rafah border crossing remains closed until further notice.

The ERC said the convoy, comprising hundreds of trucks, includes about 3,500 tons of food baskets and flour, over 2,300 tons of essential medical and relief supplies, and more than 2,500 tons of fuel.

It is the 53rd convoy sent from Egypt under a pro-Gaza humanitarian initiative launched by the ERC in late July.

On Saturday, the Palestinian Embassy in Cairo said the Rafah crossing will reopen on Monday to allow Palestinians residing in Egypt who wish to return to Gaza to pass.

Hours later, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying the crossing will not open until further notice. It said the opening will be considered based on how Hamas implements its part in the return of the deceased hostages and the implementation of the agreed framework.

According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, more than 6,000 aid trucks are waiting for Israel's clearance to enter Gaza.

Aid shipments from Egypt have intensified as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in effect since October 10 following two years of conflict in the enclave. The long-awaited truce was brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.

Tensions escalated on Sunday after the Israeli army launched airstrikes on the southern Gaza Strip, accusing Hamas of firing an anti-tank missile and gunfire at Israeli troops.

According to Gaza's health authorities, Israel's military campaign has killed 68,159 Palestinians and injured 170,203 others since Oct. 7, 2023. Despite the ceasefire, 35 people have been killed and 146 others wounded in Gaza since Oct. 11, the authorities said in an update on Sunday. - UNB