Israel Announces Reopening of Kerem Shalom Crossing; UN: No Aid Has Entered Gaza Yet

The Israeli army announced on Wednesday that it has reopened the important Kerem Shalom crossing to Gaza. This comes as the United Nations states that no humanitarian aid has yet entered Gaza, and someone on the Palestinian side must receive that aid. According to the Associated Press, the Israeli army released a video on this day showing the entry of aid into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. The Kerem Shalom crossing between Gaza and Israel had been closed for several days following a rocket attack near it that killed four Israeli soldiers. The White House had previously reported on Netanyahu's promise to Biden to reopen this crossing for humanitarian aid. Additionally, an armored brigade consisting of Israeli tanks has seized and blocked the Rafah crossing near Gaza and Egypt. The Rafah crossing with Egypt and the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel are crucial points for the entry of food, medicine, and other supplies that the 2.3 million population of Gaza depends on. These two crossings have been closed for at least the past two days, although the smaller Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing between Israel and northern Gaza continues to operate. The CIA chief met with Netanyahu; efforts are intensifying to prevent a full-scale Israeli attack on Rafah. The United States has halted the shipment of 'some weapons' to Israel; efforts to prevent a full-scale attack on Rafah are ongoing.