Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced plans on Wednesday to open a new land crossing into the Gaza Strip, primarily aimed at expediting the delivery of aid to Palestinians from overseas or neighboring Jordan.
This decision comes amidst mounting pressure on Israel to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza following a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7.
The proposed crossing, situated on the northern part of the Gaza border between the Israeli village of Zikim and the Palestinian village of As-Siafa, aims to streamline the transportation of aid from the southern port of Ashdod, located approximately 40 km away.
Gallant stressed that the establishment of this crossing would significantly improve the delivery of aid brought overland from Jordan, bolstering the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
“These initiatives will directly impact aid distribution – our goal is to inundate Gaza with assistance,” Gallant asserted. It will streamline security protocols and reinforce collaboration with international partners.
This move represents a significant effort by Israel to address the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza and alleviate the suffering of its populace, which has endured months of hardship due to ongoing conflict.
The announcement of the new crossing comes as part of Israel’s broader efforts to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Israel has gradually reopened established cargo crossings and announced plans to admit Gaza-bound aid shipments at its southern port of Ashdod.
Israel has facilitated the establishment of a maritime corridor for direct aid deliveries to Gaza by sea and opened its airspace to foreign aircraft parachuting aid for Palestinians.
