Israeli security forces guard as aid trucks enter the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel, January 29, 2024. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom Border Crossing into the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday to resume humanitarian aid deliveries. The crossing had been closed following a deadly Hamas rocket attack. The reopening followed a pledge on Monday from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to U.S. President Joe Biden that the crossing would reopen, according to a White House statement.
On Sunday afternoon, the IDF reported that a rocket barrage – including 10 rockets and several mortar shells – was launched from the area adjacent to the Rafah crossing toward the area of Kerem Shalom. Hamas later claimed responsibility for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers and wounded 10 Israelis.
Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit stated that the crossing was reopened on Wednesday morning, allowing trucks to enter Gaza as directed by government officials. COGAT also explained that aid trucks coming from Egypt were being inspected by Israeli authorities at Kerem Shalom before they entered Gaza, according to the current procedure.
As of Wednesday morning, the Rafah Border Crossing, located approximately 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) from the Israeli border, remained closed due to ongoing operations by the Israel Defense Forces, according to security officials. Situated along the Philadelphi Corridor that separates Egypt and Gaza, the crossing had also been used for aid delivery.
IDF troops began a targeted operation in eastern Rafah late on Monday evening after the Israeli War Cabinet unanimously decided to go ahead with the operation, despite Hamas claiming to have agreed to a hostage deal a short time earlier.
Tensions have been mounting between Israel and the United States, as Israeli officials declared the Hamas announcement to be a ploy to prevent the IDF’s incursion into Rafah, and argued that the Biden administration was aware of the proposal negotiated by Egypt and Qatar but failed to warn Israel.
The Israeli government was caught by “complete surprise” by the statement that came just as Israeli troops were about to launch a limited incursion into Rafah. The Israeli government had already warned residents near Rafah to evacuate the area before the IDF operation.
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