Food supplies bound for Gaza rot under the sun as Rafah border crossing stays closed

Aid bound for Gaza is rotting as Egypt's Rafah crossing remains closed for a third week, worsening hunger in the besieged territory, Reuters reports. Rafah, a key entry point for aid, has been shut since Israel intensified its offensive inn the southern Gaza May 6, and took control of the crossing from the Palestinian side.

Egyptian officials complain that military activity is hampering humanitarian operations and demand Israel return control of the crossing to Palestinians before it restarts operations. Meanwhile Egypt and the US agreed Friday to route aid via Israel’s KeremShalom crossing until Rafah is reopened. 

Truck driver Mahmoud Hussein told Reuters that his goods have been spoiling for a month. “Apples, bananas, chicken, and cheese have rotted,” he said. U.N. data shows over 2,000 aid trucks, including 1,574 with food, are waiting to enter Gaza. The prolonged closure has prompted fears of imminent famine in the densely populated area.

Health warnings have been issued for some food already in Gaza, as inspections were interrupted during the offensive. Local officials caution that many goods are unfit for consumption.