In a groundbreaking diplomatic move, President Joe Biden successfully negotiated with Egypt’s President Al-Sisi to open the Rafah border crossing for the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid to Gaza. Aboard Air Force One, President Biden conveyed the details of the agreement to reporters, highlighting the importance of swift action to provide humanitarian aid to the region.
Biden stated, “And so, I have been on the phone for the last I don’t know. We’ve been on the ground a while. That’s why we haven’t taken off with El-Sisi. I don’t think I was on that long. It was about probably half an hour. And both my team here was with me. And he agreed that what he would do is open the gate to do two things: one, let up to 20 trucks through to begin with. Satterfield, my ambassador, is down there in not down there in Cairo now. He’s going to coordinate this. He has my authority to do what is needed to get it done.”
The initiative aimed to alleviate the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and Biden reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring a smooth process. “When we took off, my goal was multifold, but basically to get humanitarian aid into Gaza and to get as many Americans out who wanted to get out could get out as possible,” he said.
Acknowledging the logistical challenges, Biden revealed, “They’re going to patch the road. They have to fill in potholes to get these trucks through. And that’s going to occur; they expect it’ll take about eight hours tomorrow. So, there may be nothing rolling through until what’s today? I’m losing track of days. Thursday? Wednesday? Probably until Friday.”
President Biden emphasized the limited scope of the agreement, stating, “Yes. For this purpose. For this purpose. Not to allow a lot of people out, but to open it up for this purpose…for the trucks to be able to get through.”
Regarding the distribution of humanitarian aid, Biden clarified, “If, in fact, they cross the border, the U.N. is going to be on the other side distributing this material offloading it and then distributing it, which is going to take a little time to set up, probably.”
The White House also released a statement, affirming the commitment of both leaders to stability in the Middle East and a lasting peace in the region. The rescheduling of meetings with Jordan’s King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas further reflected the gravity of the situation and the dedication of international leaders to resolve the crisis.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi expressed the urgent need for a cessation of violence, condemning the escalation of conflict by Israel and underscoring the need for immediate action to avert further catastrophe.
The joint effort between the United States and Egypt marks a significant step toward addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, underscoring the significance of international cooperation in times of crisis.
Also Read: Israel’s Envoy Lambasts UN Security Council for Failing to Condemn Hamas as a Terrorist Group
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