The US president, Joe Biden, spoke publicly about a recent agreement with Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, focusing on the Rafah border crossing that links Egypt to the Gaza Strip. The plan involves allowing the entry of twenty trucks carrying humanitarian aid, a step Biden described during a press briefing aboard Air Force One as the plane returned from Israel with a stop in Germany on the way back to Washington.
Biden explained that aid shipments would be reduced if Hamas obstructs deliveries, yet if the trucks reach civilians as intended, Egypt would permit more people and supplies to pass through. He also announced that a new special envoy for humanitarian affairs in the Middle East, David Satterfield, appointed just days earlier, is already in Cairo coordinating ongoing aid efforts to Gaza.
The president noted that as he left Israel, he spoke with President al-Sisi for about half an hour by phone. The two leaders confirmed the decision to allow twenty trucks to cross the Rafah border. The plan also includes road repairs along the crossing. Potholes will be filled so freight can move smoothly, with the goal of completing the work within eight hours the following day to enable aid to reach Gaza by Friday.
Information from an NGO provided to reporters indicated that hundreds of trucks belonging to non-governmental organizations in Egypt are waiting at Rafah, hampered by recent Israeli bombardments that damaged the crossing. Biden said that the agreement envisions United Nations personnel distributing medicines, water, and food to Palestinians on the Gaza side of the border.
“Frank” negotiations with tangible results
Biden described the discussions with both Egyptian leadership and Israel’s war cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as productive and open. He stressed the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza quickly and effectively. The president recalled his conversations during the visit to Israel, noting that Netanyahu had agreed to permit humanitarian aid to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing. Rafah, which connects the Egyptian Sinai to Gaza, remains the sole gateway not controlled by Israel.
Regarding the opening of Rafah, Biden highlighted the appreciation due to President al-Sisi and Netanyahu for their cooperation, describing their approach as collaborative and progressive. He added that his argument to secure aid access rested on a simple premise: those who can alleviate suffering have a responsibility to act, while those who fail to do so risk eroding credibility on the world stage.
During the trip to Israel, Biden met with Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and the war cabinet. He reiterated the enduring support of the United States for Israel and made clear that American backing remains steadfast. The public remarks from American officials conveyed a sense of assurance that allies are not alone and that Washington fully backs the security and resilience of Israel in the current circumstances.