RT by @JeanLambertLDN: I have just completed a trip to the Rafah crossing with @europarl_en colleagues from @RenewEurope - the first Parliamentary delegation to secure access to the area. The purpose of the visit was to see first hand the international humanitarian effort that is underway and the difficulties that are being faced with getting the aid into Gaza.

On the way there we passed hundreds of trucks, for as far as the eye could see, carrying basic humanitarian supplies, all being held up and waiting to cross into Gaza. Everything that goes across has to be cleared by the Israeli government who have listed thousands of items, such as solar panels, water tubes and batteries, as being 'dual use' i.e capable of military use.

Both >@EU_ECHO & @Irish_Aid are very much present and waiting to cross. I saw a number of trucks with family tents donated by the Irish Government at a logistics hub near Rafah. The tent poles are removed as they are on the 'Dual list' and are deemed capable of military operation.

I expected the crossing itself to be chaotic however it was weirdly quiet - which is worrying. What should be a bustling humanitarian hub with non-stop traffic and activity, consisted only of the occasional truck getting through - one passed through in the hour we were there.

At the border, people we spoke to said that our visit and the fact that IDF know about it means that no bombing would occur until we had left. When the president of the @ICRC visited recently - bombing resumed 30 mins after the visit ended.

Bombings, gunfire & drone activity is a daily reality for people who are working at the Rafah crossing. People who are helping evacuate the wounded, the sick and dual nationals wishing to leave are in danger every day.

Humanitarian access is a basic requirement for any conflict. It is truly astonishing to think that Rafah is the only crossing p…

🐦🔗: https://nitter.cz/BarryAndrewsMEP/status/1736360739781111981#m

[2023-12-17 12:20 UTC]