Palestinians Gather at Rafah Crossing in Hopes of Access to Non-Israeli-Controlled Exit Out of Gaza

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered at the Rafah crossing on Monday morning, hoping for access to the only non-Israeli-controlled exit out of Gaza. The crossing had been closed since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, leaving many stuck in the Gaza Strip.

A convoy of trucks carrying aid supplies from Egypt was waiting on the main Ismailia desert road, about 300 kms east of the Egyptian border with Gaza, on the way to the Rafah crossing. The Palestinian Embassy had said foreign national Palestinians would be able to cross the border into Egypt starting at 9 a.m. local time on Monday, when humanitarian aid would be allowed in.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is currently on a trip to Egypt and other Arab nations, spoke to reporters about the conflict. He reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, but that it should take precautions against harming civilians.

The Rafah crossing remains closed, and it is unclear when it will re-open. The convoy of aid trucks is still waiting to enter Gaza, and the crowd of Palestinians is still waiting for access. The situation remains tense as the conflict continues.