Gaza's Zikim Crossing Reopens Amid Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
The main entry point into Gaza's devastated northern strip, Zikim crossing, has finally reopened for humanitarian aid, according to Israeli officials on Wednesday. The move comes two months after Israel closed the crossing and follows repeated calls from the United Nations to allow direct aid deliveries to the hard-hit area.
The decision marks a significant shift in the status quo in Gaza, where the UN has warned that the hunger crisis remains catastrophic. Despite the ceasefire brokered by the US taking effect on October 10, which aimed to ramp up aid deliveries, volumes have been much less than expected.
Under the agreement, at least 600 trucks were supposed to enter the Strip daily, but actual deliveries have been significantly lower. The UN has expressed concern that the aid convoys face a slow and difficult route from the south, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The reopening of Zikim crossing means that three crossings into Gaza are now operational – Karem Abu Salem in the south and al-Karara (Kissufim) in central Gaza. The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid had previously emphasized the importance of opening direct crossings to the north, describing it as "vital" for ensuring that aid reaches people as soon as possible.
However, the reopening comes as Israeli forces continue to carry out attacks in northern Gaza, including air raids on Beit Lahiya and artillery shelling near the Jabalia refugee camp. Members of Hamas's armed wing and a Red Cross team are also working to recover the bodies of captives, which has been an ongoing issue since the US-brokered ceasefire took effect.
In related news, Ron Dermer, the lead Israeli negotiator in negotiations that produced the ceasefire agreement, has resigned from his ministerial post as minister of strategic affairs.
The main entry point into Gaza's devastated northern strip, Zikim crossing, has finally reopened for humanitarian aid, according to Israeli officials on Wednesday. The move comes two months after Israel closed the crossing and follows repeated calls from the United Nations to allow direct aid deliveries to the hard-hit area.
The decision marks a significant shift in the status quo in Gaza, where the UN has warned that the hunger crisis remains catastrophic. Despite the ceasefire brokered by the US taking effect on October 10, which aimed to ramp up aid deliveries, volumes have been much less than expected.
Under the agreement, at least 600 trucks were supposed to enter the Strip daily, but actual deliveries have been significantly lower. The UN has expressed concern that the aid convoys face a slow and difficult route from the south, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The reopening of Zikim crossing means that three crossings into Gaza are now operational – Karem Abu Salem in the south and al-Karara (Kissufim) in central Gaza. The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid had previously emphasized the importance of opening direct crossings to the north, describing it as "vital" for ensuring that aid reaches people as soon as possible.
However, the reopening comes as Israeli forces continue to carry out attacks in northern Gaza, including air raids on Beit Lahiya and artillery shelling near the Jabalia refugee camp. Members of Hamas's armed wing and a Red Cross team are also working to recover the bodies of captives, which has been an ongoing issue since the US-brokered ceasefire took effect.
In related news, Ron Dermer, the lead Israeli negotiator in negotiations that produced the ceasefire agreement, has resigned from his ministerial post as minister of strategic affairs.
... I mean, a crossing reopening is still super scary for the people living in Gaza, but at least they're getting some aid now. It's like, finally! The UN has been saying this stuff for ages, and it's about time something changed. But you know, with all these attacks happening in the north, it's just... *sigh* 
Those poor people are going through so much already, and they don't deserve to have their lives made even harder by all this violence. I just wish everyone could get along and stop fighting for a sec 
finally some aid is getting to gaza after all these months its like they closed all doors on ppl struggling there 
i dont get why aid convoys have to go through so much trouble when theres a war going on already it just feels like red tape 
and im worried about the people in beit lahiya tho air raids are getting more intense 
we need to keep pushing for that direct crossing ASAP 
The Zikim crossing is open again 
, which is SO good for Gaza 
, right?! 
. But, like, the UN's been sayin stuff about how the aid convoys r gettin slow & hard 2 get thru 
... which is, like, super bad news 
. We need those crossings open ASAP 
, or it's just gonna be a lil worse 
, and that Israel doesn't keep carryin out attacks in the area 
... that's just so not cool 
.
the humanitarian crisis in gaza is still super dire and im not convinced that aid volumes are gonna magically increase now. the us-brokered ceasefire was supposed to bring more aid but its been a slow trickle.
This is such a tough situation for everyone involved... I can only imagine how hard it must be to see people struggling and not being able to get the help they need 
. like, what took them so long to open it up? & now u got israeli forces carryin out attacks n stuff... cant we just get some peace n stability 4 a sec? 
.