Southern Gaza is running dangerously low on essentials like food and medicine, after the flow of aid has come to a near-total stop — first closed off by Israel and then further restricted, officials say, by Egypt.
It also temporarily shut down the other crucial southern crossing, known as Kerem Shalom, after a nearby Hamas attack killed four Israeli soldiers on Sunday.
Egypt, where most of the aid to Gaza is collected and loaded, is resisting sending trucks toward Kerem Shalom, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.
They believe that Egypt is trying to pressure Israel to pull back from its operation in Rafah.
Egypt fears that the Rafah operation could push Palestinian refugees onto Egyptian soil — an outcome the country views as a national security threat.
Persons:
—, Kerem Shalom
Locations:
Southern Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Gazan, Rafah, Gaza, Kerem