Israel has announced the construction of a new land crossing into northern Gaza to address the acute starvation crisis in the region. The new crossing is expected to handle up to 50 aid trucks a day, with the first trucks already making their way through, according to Israeli officials.
In addition to the new crossing, Israel has also allowed the use of the Ashdod deep water port to the north and increased aid from Jordan through the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has pledged to gradually increase aid deliveries to pre-war levels of 500 trucks a day.
The move comes after the killing of seven aid workers by the Israeli military on April 1, prompting the US to urge Israel to prevent civilian harm and humanitarian suffering. The US has continued to press Israeli officials to do more to alleviate the crisis in Gaza.
Despite some aid being allowed in, the UN and aid agencies have reported deaths from malnutrition among children and warned of looming famine for a million people in Gaza. The international community has accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war and failing to ensure that aid reaches those in need.
Efforts to deliver aid through alternative routes, such as air drops and sea deliveries, have faced challenges and criticism. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with humanitarian agencies calling for urgent action to prevent further suffering and loss of life.