Israel said on Wednesday it had reopened a key border crossing into Gaza after it was closed last weekend following a Hamas rocket attack that killed four Israeli soldiers, but the United Nations says crucial humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people are not yet arriving.
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which handles civil and humanitarian affairs, said trucks from Egypt they have already reached the Kerem Shalom pass.
But the United Nations agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, said later on Wednesday that aid is not getting through the crossing.
Scott Anderson, UNRWA’s director of Gaza affairs, said on Wednesday that there was no aid coming into the entire territory.
“No fuel or aid was awarded [Gaza] and this is disastrous for the humanitarian response”, Anderson wrote on the social platform X.
Gaza has three border crossings to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, including Kerem Shalom and Erez, a checkpoint in the north. Both are controlled by Israel.
A third crossing connecting Egypt and Gaza, in the southern city of Rafah, has also been crucial for the delivery of aid, but was recently seized by Israeli soldiers, effectively closing it and placing it under Israeli control by first time.
The UN has already warned of famine in northern Gaza and warns of an even worse disaster if border crossings remain closed.
The US has urged Israel to reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing after it was closed following rocket attacks, which also injured three Israeli soldiers in the border area. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attacks.
John Kirby, the White House national security communications adviser, told reporters Tuesday that the crossing would open shortly after President Biden speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“He assured the president it would reopen,” Kirby said.
More than 34,000 people have been killed in Gaza and rights groups and the United Nations warn the situation will worsen if Israel conducts a full-scale invasion of Rafah.
The limited Israeli incursion that took over the border crossing does not appear to be a major attack, but Netanyahu has promised to continue on Rafah when his forces are ready.
The US recently suspended a shipment of 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs to Israel due to concerns about an invasion of Rafah.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
