Large numbers of individuals reach the Gaza-Egypt border crossing at Rafah

Thousands of people in Gaza are gathering at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in the hope of it being reopened before Israel commences its anticipated ground operation. However, the United Nations has reported no progress in negotiations to reopen the crossing. Cairo is blaming Israel for not cooperating. All routes out of Gaza are currently closed as Israel continues its air strikes in response to Hamas' attack earlier this month. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has returned to Israel for a second time in less than a week to push for the reopening of the crossing and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of foreign passport holders. Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly are working with Israel, Egypt, and other political leaders in the area to advocate for the reopening. Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza, halting the supply of water, food, and fuel, and launched a series of air strikes following Hamas' attack, which resulted in the death of over 1,400 people. Thousands of civilians rushed to the Rafah crossing after reports of a temporary reopening during a ceasefire, but both Israel and Hamas denied any such agreement. An air strike hit the area surrounding the crossing, damaging a building on the Palestinian side and the road. The Rafah crossing is the only potential exit point from Gaza, as Israel maintains a siege on other entry points. Dozens of lorries carrying fuel and aid supplies are waiting on the Egyptian side, worsening the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israel insists the siege will only end when Hamas releases the hostages it seized earlier this month. The conflict has caused the deaths of around 2,750 people in Gaza and displaced over one million. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry emphasizes the urgent need to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians and has been advocating for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Egypt has stated it could allow medical evacuations and the entry of Gazans with travel permits. The US, the UK, and other countries have advised their citizens to head towards the Rafah crossing in anticipation of its reopening. However, Egypt is concerned about a potential influx of Palestinian refugees fleeing the war, viewing it as unacceptable expulsion from their land.