The Rafah Crossing between Egypt and Gaza opened Saturday morning for the first time since Hamas launched its brutal massacre on Israeli civilians two weeks ago, on the morning of October 7.
According to Hamas, 20 trucks are expected to pass through the crossing, carrying medication, medical equipment, and food.
In recent days, Egypt claimed that it was unable to open the Rafah Crossing due to Israeli airstrikes, and Jerusalem agreed to allow safe passage on condition that no aid reach Hamas.
The US Ambassador in Israel has said that it is not clear how much time will be granted for foreign citizens to leave Gaza through the Rafah Crossing. Throughout the week, the US has called for its citizens to move towards Rafah with the expectation that they would be allowed passage into Egypt.
"US citizens attempting to enter Egypt should expect a potentially chaotic and disorderly environment on both sides of the crossing," the Embassy warned, adding that "the situation remains dynamic and fluid and the security environment is unpredictable."
Later on Saturday, the US State Department praised the Crossing's opening, which allowed entry to the 20-truck convoy carrying aid for Gazans.
In a statement, the State Department said, "We thank our partners in Egypt and Israel, and the United Nations, for facilitating the safe passage of these shipments through the Rafah border crossing. With this convoy, the international community is beginning to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza that has left residents of Gaza without access to sufficient food, water, medical care, and safe shelter."
The State Department also warned, "Hamas must not interfere with the provision of this life-saving assistance. Palestinian civilians are not responsible for Hamas’s horrific terrorism, and they should not be made to suffer for its depraved acts."