Israel Reopens Karm Abu Salem Crossing to Allow Humanitarian Aid into Gaza

Israel announced it will reopen the Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing into Gaza to allow the "gradual entry of humanitarian aid."

“# Israel says will reopen a Gaza aid crossing on Tuesday; Rafah remains closed Israel said it would reopen a crossing into Gaza on Tuesday to allow for the "gradual entry of humanitarian aid" into the territory”

Ahram Online

The reopening was framed by Israel as a security-assessed move to permit limited deliveries after the temporary shutdown that began the previous Saturday amid Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran and Iran's response.

Al-Jazeera Net

Karm Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom is Gaza’s primary outlet for aid and goods and sits at the Gaza–Israel–Egypt intersection.

Its shutdown alongside other crossing closures has intensified already catastrophic humanitarian conditions inside Gaza.

The Canary

Al-Jazeera reports the closure came "alongside the shutdown of other crossings."

Al-Jazeera says about 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.4 million people are displaced and living in makeshift tents without basic necessities after widespread destruction during the war.

Ahram Online states the Rafah crossing "remains closed,".

“No products in the basket”

The Canary

Al-Jazeera reports Rafah "had been reopened on Feb. 2 after around two years of restricted movement,".

The Canary says Rafah was placed under Israeli military control and closed in May 2024.

These conflicting accounts show inconsistent reporting on Rafah's operational status at the time of the Karm Abu Salem announcement.

The Canary and Al-Jazeera emphasize that Israel’s control of almost all Gaza crossings has been a primary mechanism enforcing Gaza’s isolation and producing severe humanitarian collapse.

The Canary argues that 'control of crossings and permits, which Israel uses as tools of subjugation and collective punishment,' has driven 'worsening famine, the collapse of health services and disruption of essentials.'

The Canary

Al-Jazeera documents massive displacement and basic-needs shortages that the crossing closures exacerbate.

Even with the announced reopening, the sources indicate aid flows will be limited and tightly managed.

“Israel announced that it will reopen the Karam Abu Salem crossing today, Tuesday, to allow the "gradual entry of humanitarian aid" into the Gaza Strip”

Al-Jazeera Net

Israel’s coordination body said deliveries "will be guided by needs reported by the United Nations and international organizations," and The Canary notes that Israel tightly regulates what and how much passes through Karam Abu Salem.

Al-Jazeera Net

That combination suggests the reopening will not immediately resolve shortages caused by prolonged restrictions and control of crossings.