Egypt: 600 aid trucks to enter Gaza daily after ceasefire

Last Updated on January 20, 2025 5:54 am

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atti said 50 fuel trucks would enter the Gaza Strip when a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas begins tomorrow. The deal brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States will allow 600 trucks to enter Gaza daily, 50 of which will carry fuel, he said at a joint news conference on Saturday.

The Times of Israel reported on Saturday (January 18).

The ceasefire is due to take effect at 8:30 am on Sunday, marking a fresh start to the flow of aid into Gaza after a long blockade. Hundreds of trucks are already lined up at Egypt’s Rafah border crossing. The crossing has been a key entry point for aid but has been closed since Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side in May.

Abdel-Atti said, “We expect 300 trucks to enter northern Gaza.” ’

Thousands of people are trapped in this part of Gaza, whose humanitarian situation is deteriorating. International aid agencies have described the situation in the region as ‘catastrophic’.

The Egyptian foreign minister added, ‘This agreement will not only increase the flow of humanitarian aid, but is also a positive step for regional stability.’

Experts believe that the agreement will ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to some extent. However, a permanent solution to the Israel-Hamas conflict is essential for a long-term solution. There are still doubts about how effective the ceasefire will be and how long it will last.