Israel opens aid crossing to Gaza for first time during the war
Israel opens a crossing for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza (photo: Getty Images)
Israel has opened the Kerem Shalom crossing for trucks carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip for the first time since the beginning of the conflict, according to Rueters.
It is noted that the crossing was closed after a Hamas attack on October 7, and aid was being delivered exclusively through the Rafah crossing, located between Gaza and Egypt, allowing only 100 trucks per day.
Kerem Shalom, situated at the border of Egypt, Israel, and Gaza, is one of the main transit points for goods entering the Gaza Strip, providing a much faster transit than Rafah.
"Starting today (Dec. 17), UN aid trucks will undergo security checks and be transferred directly to Gaza via Kerem Shalom, to abide by our agreement with the U.S.," said the Israeli Defense Forces.
According to Egyptian sources, on December 17, 79 trucks crossed Kerem Shalom on their way to the Gaza Strip. The Prime Minister's Office had earlier stated that the opening of this crossing would enable Israel to fulfill its commitment to allow the entry of 200 trucks with humanitarian aid per day.
Israel-Hamas war
Fighters from Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, engaging in acts of violence and kidnapping both military and civilian individuals. Shortly thereafter, Jerusalem declared the Operation Iron Swords and carried out airstrikes on terrorist locations in the Gaza Strip.
On November 24, a temporary ceasefire between Tel Aviv and the militants began for the release of prisoners. However, on December 1, Israel claimed that hostilities resumed due to Hamas violating the terms of the ceasefire.
On December 14, the White House announced that the United States wants the conflict between Israel and Hamas to end as soon as possible. On the same day, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the war would last several more months.
U.S. President Joe Biden remarked that Israel is starting to lose global support due to the indiscriminate bombings of the Gaza Strip. The UN General Assembly also voted in favor of a majority resolution demanding a ceasefire.
Simultaneously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that international pressure would not halt the war against Hamas.
