Israel Reopens Kerem Shalom Crossing for Gaza Aid

Israeli authorities reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing on Tuesday to allow a gradual increase in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, according to COGAT, the Israeli government body responsible for coordinating activities in Palestinian territories.

The decision to reopen the crossing, which is the primary entry point for goods and aid into Gaza, followed a security assessment, COGAT stated on Monday. The volume of aid entering Gaza will be determined based on needs identified by the United Nations and other international organizations operating in the field.

The Kerem Shalom crossing had been closed following the Israeli-U.S. attack on Iran, according to an announcement made Saturday by Ghassan Alian, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Palestinian Territories. The Rafah crossing with Egypt was also closed at the same time.

Kerem Shalom, controlled by Israel, is situated at the intersection of Gaza, Israel, and Egypt.

The closure of Kerem Shalom has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where approximately 1.9 million displaced people out of a population of 2.4 million reside in makeshift tents with limited access to basic necessities. These individuals were displaced after their homes were destroyed during the conflict.

The Rafah crossing, Gazans' only gateway to the outside world that bypasses Israel, partially reopened under strict conditions on February 2, after nearly two years of Israeli control during the offensive on the strip.