Israel will reopen a key aid crossing into Gaza on Tuesday following a security closure amid regional hostilities.
JERUSALEM: Israel announced it will reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza on Tuesday. The move will allow for the gradual entry of humanitarian aid into the territory.
The Israeli defence ministry body responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, COGAT, said the decision was made “in accordance with a security assessment.” The crossing was closed on Saturday when Israel and the United States began striking Iran, prompting reprisals from Tehran.
Israel had announced the closure of all crossing points into Gaza as a security measure. This included the Rafah crossing on the border between the Palestinian territory and Egypt.
The Rafah crossing, the only gateway for Gazans to the outside world not passing through Israel, had only reopened for the movement of people on February 2. Israeli forces had seized control of it nearly two years prior during the war with Hamas.
The Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing sits at the intersection between the Gaza Strip, Israel and Egypt. The reopening comes as regional hostilities continue to escalate.
US president Donald Trump warned on Monday that his attack on Iran could extend longer than a month. The war has spread with Israel bombarding Lebanon while Tehran has targeted Israel and Gulf countries that host US bases.
