The Kerem Shalom border crossing, located between Israel and Gaza, opened to aid trucks on Sunday (17 December). This is the first time the crossing has been opened since the outbreak of the war, doubling the amount of food and medicine arriving in Gaza.
Two sources from the Egyptian Red Crescent Society said trucks began entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday. One of the sources said 79 trucks had entered Gaza.
Located on the border between Egypt, Israel and Gaza, the Kerem Shalom crossing is one of the main transit points for goods entering and leaving Gaza. The crossing was closed following the Hamas attacks of 7 October, and only 100 aid trucks were able to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing every day.
"Beginning on 17 December, UN aid trucks will undergo security checks and enter Gaza directly through the Kerem Shalom crossing to comply with our agreement with the United States," the Israeli Defense Ministry's Coordination Office for Territorial Activities said in a statement. ”
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement on Friday (15th) that the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing will enable Israel to fulfill its commitment to allow 200 trucks carrying aid to enter Gaza every day. This commitment was reached in the context of a hostage agreement brokered and implemented last month.
When asked if aid had entered Gaza, an Israeli** said yes.
The humanitarian situation has deteriorated dramatically as Israeli military operations in Gaza intensify. The United Nations and other world agencies have warned of severe shortages of food, clean water and medicines.