On Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant announced the opening of a new land crossing in the Gaza Strip. The crossing primarily aims to streamline aid delivery to Palestinians from overseas or neighboring Jordan.
Mounting humanitarian concerns have prompted pressure on Israel from both Western and Arab allies to increase efforts in facilitating aid entry, following a period during which it attempted to transfer responsibility to Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza.
In response, Israel has taken steps to gradually reopen two established cargo crossings and establish a new crossing along its border. Additionally, it recently announced its intention to permit aid shipments bound for Gaza through its southern port of Ashdod.
The cross point will be between the Israeli village of Zikim and the Palestinian village of As-Siafa which will help in the delivery of aid brought in overland from Jordan to Israel’s east.
“These breakthroughs have a direct impact on the flow of aid – we plan to flood Gaza with aid,” he said. “It will also streamline security checks and strengthen our work with international partners.”
