Egyptian Red Crescent: Opening of Kerem Shalom Crossing for Inspection of Aid Trucks to Gaza

A representative from the Egyptian Red Crescent confirmed that a convoy of 80 aid trucks for Gaza was sent from Egypt to the Kerem Shalom crossing for inspection today, Tuesday, following the implementation of a new inspection system aimed at speeding up the delivery of relief materials. Since the aid deliveries began on October 20, trucks entering Gaza from Egypt have had to detour south from Rafah to undergo inspection at the Al-Awja/Nitzana crossing on the Egyptian border with Israel, a process that has caused bottlenecks and delays. Relief officials indicate that using the Kerem Shalom crossing, situated between Israel and Gaza about three kilometers from Rafah, will allow for the handling of more trucks, including some that will be coming from Jordan for the first time since the outbreak of war in Gaza. With the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsening, the United Nations is pressuring Israel to allow trucks to enter the territory directly from the Kerem Shalom crossing, stating that this would make a significant difference. Diplomats report that Israel, concerned that Hamas might benefit from the supplies entering, has so far refused to take such a step. Khaled Zayed, head of the Red Crescent branch in North Sinai, Egypt, stated that the trucks sent to Kerem Shalom today included medicines, medical supplies, food, drinking water, and baby formula. Zayed added that 100 additional trucks were sent to the Al-Awja/Nitzana crossing.