Israel reopens Kerem Shalom crossing to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza
COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, announced this morning the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing after Hamas fired several shells at the crossing, forcing the Israeli authorities to close it for several days.
The terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack, which left four soldiers dead and 10 wounded. According to Hamas, the target of the attack was a military post from which the Israeli army was allegedly organising the imminent invasion of Rafah.
Days after the attack, trucks from Egypt have begun arriving at the crossing carrying humanitarian aid, including food, water, shelter kits, medicine and medical equipment donated by the international community, COGAT said in a statement.
The agency also indicated that the trucks will be inspected before entering Gaza - as has been the case in recent months - while recalling that the recently opened Erez crossing in the north of the enclave is still operational to facilitate the entry of more humanitarian aid to the Gazan population.
However, the Rafah crossing - where chronically ill people were leaving for Egypt on a daily basis and where humanitarian aid was also entering - remains closed as Israeli forces continue their operations in the area.
The Israel Defense Forces seized the Rafah crossing shortly after beginning operations in the southern Gaza city, considered the last bastion of Hamas. Many of the hostages are also believed to be held in the area.
So far, according to Israeli military officials, the IDF has already eliminated several terrorists and located several tunnels during operations in eastern Rafah that will be demolished by combat engineers.
In addition, the Israeli air force struck more than 100 targets throughout the Gaza Strip in recent hours, including buildings used by terrorist groups, observation posts and rocket launchers.
Meanwhile, the Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza reported the deaths of at least 21 people killed by Israeli fire.
US approves of Israeli operation in Rafah, as long as it is "limited"
The United States, which for months opposed an Israeli military offensive in Rafah, now backs a "limited" operation that cuts off Hamas's ability to receive smuggled weapons.
"It is a legitimate objective to try to deprive Hamas of money that it could use to continue to fund its terrorist activities," said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
However, according to Kirby, Washington's position could change if the Israeli offensive expands its reach and causes further obstruction of aid deliveries to Gaza.
These statements come after the Biden administration confirmed that it had recently withheld a large arms shipment to Israel that it feared could be used during the Rafah ground operation. This is the first time the US has withheld an arms shipment for the Israeli army since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.