The United Nations (UN) is pressing Israel to reopen more Gaza crossings, warning that reliance on a single entry point has left humanitarian aid bottlenecked despite the limited reopening of Kerem Shalom.
Israel on Tuesday reopened Kerem Shalom, the enclave’s sole cargo crossing, after a two-day closure reportedly triggered by an Iranian missile attack, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said during a press conference at the UN headquarters.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed the reopening, noting Kerem Shalom remains Gaza's only entry point for approved relief cargo.
Haq stressed that humanitarian needs remain urgent, while Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his call for Israel to reopen all crossings to ensure safe and unhindered aid delivery.
"The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that today Israeli authorities reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing, which remains the only crossing point for approved cargo to enter Gaza. Meanwhile, the UN and our humanitarian partners continue to respond to people's needs, despite bureaucratic hurdles and funding shortfalls, to maintain the response and reach as many vulnerable people as possible," said Haq.
UN officials say the reopening does little to ease the crisis, with Guterres warning that only full access across Gaza’s borders can meet urgent humanitarian needs.
"Mr. Guterres is also deeply concerned by the decision by Israel to close crossings into Gaza. He reiterates his call for the immediate reopening of all crossings to ensure the rapid, safe and unhindered passage of humanitarian assistance at scale throughout Gaza," Haq said.
UN presses Israel to reopen more Gaza crossings as aid bottleneck deepens
UN presses Israel to reopen more Gaza crossings as aid bottleneck deepens
UN presses Israel to reopen more Gaza crossings as aid bottleneck deepens
