The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that it has reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a crucial terminal for the entry of humanitarian aid. The crossing had been closed for nearly three days following a Hamas rocket attack that resulted in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in the vicinity.
Additionally, an Israeli tank brigade took control of the nearby Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt early on Tuesday, which remains closed at present. Throughout the night, there were reports of sporadic explosions and gunfire in the area, with two significant blasts heard early Wednesday.
Rafah serves as a vital channel for humanitarian aid and is the sole point of entry and exit for individuals in Gaza. With Israel now overseeing all of Gaza's border crossings for the first time since its withdrawal from the territory almost twenty years ago, the situation has left at least 46 patients and wounded individuals stranded, unable to access scheduled medical treatment.
U.N. agencies and aid organizations have intensified their humanitarian efforts in recent weeks, particularly as Israel has eased some restrictions and opened an additional crossing in the north under pressure from the United States. However, the closure of Rafah, the primary gateway for fuel entry for trucks and generators, could have severe consequences.
According to the U.N., northern Gaza is currently facing a dire situation of 'full-blown famine.' The operation to secure control of the crossing seems to have been a limited incursion rather than the anticipated large-scale invasion of Rafah that Israel had indicated. Nevertheless, Israel has stated its intention to escalate the operation if the ongoing indirect negotiations with Hamas regarding a cease-fire and the release of hostages do not yield progress.
