Rafah crossing will reopen, US' Blinken says after meeting Egyptian president

NEW YORK

The Rafah crossing on the border between Gaza and Egypt will reopen, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday.

"Rafah will be reopened. We're putting in place with the United Nations, with Egypt, with Israel, with others, a mechanism by which to get the assistance in and to get it to people who need it," Blinken told reporters in Cairo as he concluded his visit to Egypt.

Blinken said that he had a very productive meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and that Egypt has provided significant aid to the people of Gaza.

He also said that David Satterfield, who was appointed the US special representative for Middle East humanitarian affairs, will be focusing on coordinating the technical details and will be on the ground on Monday.

Israel struck the vicinity of the Rafah crossing, the sole entrance to Gaza from Egypt, on Oct. 10 after it announced a "complete siege" on Gaza, cutting off electricity and water services to the strip.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul