The Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza is set to reopen for humanitarian aid after being closed due to Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
The Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza is reopening for humanitarian aid after being closed due to Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran. This move comes amid concerns over shortages of fuel and food supplies in Gaza, with estimates suggesting that current stocks could run out within days if not replenished.
- Kerem Shalom crossing set to reopen Tuesday for gradual entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza
- Closure raised concerns about critical shortages of fuel and essential food supplies
- COGAT confirms reopening but does not specify the amount of aid allowed in
- Humanitarian leaders warn of imminent shortages if crossings remain shut or reopened with insufficient aid
That is timely for us, and we need to get in aid as fast as we can
, said Samer Abdel Jaber, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. The reopening comes after crossings into Gaza were closed on Saturday due to Israeli and U.S. forces attacking Iran.
Israeli government agency COGAT confirmed that it will reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing starting Tuesday for the gradual entry of humanitarian aid
into the Gaza Strip, according to reports from multiple outlets including Reuters and Al Jazeera. However, COGAT did not specify how much aid would be allowed in.
The closure of crossings has raised concerns about shortages of fuel and food supplies in Gaza. Karuna Herrmann, Jerusalem director of the United Nations Office for Project Services, estimated that Gaza's limited fuel supply could last only a couple of days if not replenished. Amjad Al-Shawa, a Palestinian aid leader working with the U.N. and NGOs, echoed these concerns, stating that stocks of vegetables, flour, and other essentials could also soon run out if crossings remain shut.
COGAT asserted that enough food had been delivered to Gaza since an October truce to provide for the population but did not comment on potential fuel shortages. The reopening of Kerem Shalom is seen as a critical step in addressing these urgent needs and preventing further humanitarian crises in Gaza.
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