A statement from the Egyptian presidency confirmed today, Friday, that "Egypt has opened the Rafah crossing on its side without restrictions or conditions since the beginning of the war in Gaza," following U.S. President Joe Biden's remarks last night suggesting that the Egyptian president "did not want to open the crossing to allow humanitarian supplies to enter."
The statement read: "In reference to the U.S. president's comments on February 8, 2024, regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, the presidency affirms the alignment of positions and the continuation of joint efforts and intensive cooperation between Egypt and the United States to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, work toward stopping hostilities, implementing humanitarian truce, and facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid in the quantities and speed necessary to relieve the residents of the Strip."
The statement further noted that "regarding Egypt's position and role in delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and aiding our Palestinian brothers, the presidency clarifies that Egypt has - from the very first moment - opened the Rafah crossing on its side without restrictions or conditions, amassed substantial humanitarian assistance... and exerted significant pressure on all parties involved to ensure the entry of this aid into the Strip. However, ongoing shelling from the Palestinian side at the crossing by Israel, which occurred four times, prevented the delivery of assistance. As soon as the shelling from the other side of the crossing ceased, Egypt promptly rehabilitated it and made the necessary technical adjustments to allow for the entry of the maximum amount of aid to assist the residents of the Strip."
