WASHINGTON, The US Department of State unveiled Tuesday that there were constructive talks between the US, Israel and Egypt over the reopening of Rafah crossing this weekend.
“So with respect to the opening of Rafah, there were conversations over the weekend in Cairo between the United States, Israel and the government of Egypt that focused on how to get Rafah open,” the State Department Spokeperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing.
“We found them to be constructive discussions. There were detailed proposals that were put forth by the various parties.” He pointed out that the negotiators went back to their countries to consult with their governments and continue discussions.
“So there are a number of proposals that are on the table that need to be fleshed out there, different ways you could go about reopening Rafah that we are working through,” he said. On the flow of humanitarian aid, Miller stated that the US continued to work to get humanitarian assistance back flowing through Kerem Shalom, after
the decision about 10, 11 days or so ago, made by Egypt to allow trucks to move through Kerem Shalom.
“Yesterday, I think it was somewhere around 250 trucks that went in through Kerem Shalom. I’m probably off by a dozen or so because I’m doing this from memory. Other trucks that went in through one of the crossings in the north,” he clarified.
He indicated that the majority of those were humanitarian assistance trucks. So trucks by the UN and partner agencies, not commercial trucks.
“We want to see both. We think it’s important that there be both and we’re looking to maximize as many as possible coming through all the various crossings,” he said, adding that the Pentagon continues to work to reestablish the maritime option, get that pier up and running, “so we can flow assistance through there”.
Source: Kuwait News Agency