The Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza was reopened by the Israeli government and its Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit on Wednesday. This move came after the crossing was closed due to rocket fire by the Hamas terrorist organization towards the area on Tuesday.
COGAT reported that at least eight aid trucks entered the crossing, with workers unloading them using forklifts. However, it remains unclear whether the trucks crossed into Gaza after undergoing security inspections and being offloaded. The authenticity and timing of the video released by COGAT showing the aid trucks entering the crossing could not be independently verified.
On the Palestinian side, the Gaza crossings authority denied Israeli claims, stating that no aid trucks had crossed into the strip. They also reported that Palestinian employees were fired upon while approaching the crossing, an incident confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The IDF is investigating the incident of gunfire towards Palestinian workers at the Kerem Shalom Crossing. Several individuals were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment from IDF troops at the scene.
Despite the conflicting reports, the IDF reiterated that the Kerem Shalom Crossing remains open for the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. They also stated that operational activities on the Gazan side of the crossing are ongoing.
The dispute over aid delivery at the Kerem Shalom Crossing highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges faced in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both sides continue to provide differing accounts of the events, underscoring the complexities of humanitarian efforts in the region.
