Israel reopens the Kerem Shalom crossing with southern Gaza for the entry of humanitarian aid. This was announced by Cogat, the Israeli body for the Territories, recalling that it had been closed "due to the launch of Hamas rockets in the area". "Trucks from Egypt with humanitarian aid donated by the international community - added Cogat - are already arriving at the crossing." "After the security inspections - he explained - they will be transferred to the Gaza side of the crossing." The United States and the UN yesterday asked for the reopening of the crossing, after the closure of the Rafah crossing in Gaza, now under Israeli control.

Furthermore, «in parallel with the reopening of Kerem Shalom, the Erez crossing continues to operate to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip following security checks in Israel, as it did while the Kerem Shalom crossing was closed due to attacks by the terrorist organization Hamas."

Meanwhile, the United States has suspended the delivery of a shipment of bombs after Israel's failure to respond to Washington's "concerns" regarding the announced offensive on Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. “We suspended the delivery of a shipment of weapons last week: 1,800 910-kilo bombs and 1,700 225-kilo bombs,” said a Biden administration source on condition of anonymity.

“We have not made a final decision on how to proceed with this shipment,” the US official added. The measure was taken as Washington opposes a large-scale offensive prepared by Israeli troops in Rafah. Washington has made clear that it will not support an attack without a credible plan to protect civilians sheltering in the city.

(Unioneonline/ss)