Israel reopens Kerem Shalom border crossing for Gaza aid

On Wednesday, the Israeli military announced the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a critical passageway for humanitarian aid. This crossing had been shut down following a Hamas rocket attack that resulted in the deaths of four Israeli soldiers.

Despite seizing control of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Tuesday, the Israeli military has not initiated the extensive invasion of Rafah that it has previously threatened. This potential operation poses a risk of escalating tensions with the United States, which has expressed concerns about the welfare of the approximately 1.3 million Palestinians living in Rafah, many of whom have relocated there to escape conflict.

Recent statements from a senior official in the Biden administration revealed that the U.S. temporarily halted a shipment of bombs to Israel due to worries that Israel might soon proceed with a full-scale assault on Rafah. Meanwhile, the U.S., along with Egypt and Qatar, is actively trying to bridge differences in ongoing discussions about a possible temporary ceasefire and the release of numerous Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The fate of these negotiations is closely tied to the potential offensive in Rafah.

The Rafah crossing has been essential for aid delivery throughout the conflict and remains the sole exit and entry point in the region. Israel, controlling all Gaza border crossings for the first time since its withdrawal nearly two decades ago, has also been under pressure from the U.S. to ease restrictions and recently opened an additional northern crossing.

The ongoing war has had a severe impact, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting that 46 patients and injured individuals were unable to leave for medical treatment as planned. U.N. agencies and other humanitarian groups have intensified their efforts to provide aid, but the closure of Rafah threatens significant setbacks, including disruptions in fuel supplies crucial for transportation and power generation.

Since the conflict began with a Hamas attack on October 7, it has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. Over 34,700 Palestinians have died, and approximately 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, as reported by Gaza health officials. The conflict has devastated large areas of Gaza, creating a humanitarian crisis described by the U.N. as a “full-blown famine.”

The U.S. has continued to supply Israel with substantial military aid, despite paused shipments and diplomatic cautions from President Biden against a potential invasion of Rafah. The delayed shipment included a significant number of bombs, raising concerns about their use in densely populated areas. No final decision on resuming the shipment has been confirmed.