Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing has become the primary gateway for badly needed humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. The military said the crossing was immediately closed, halting deliveries of aid into hard-hit Gaza. It was unclear how long the closure would remain in effect.
The incident comes at a time when Gaza is facing a humanitarian crisis with shortages of food, medicine and other humanitarian items.
The attack threatened to complicate the ongoing ceasefire talks in Egypt. A Hamas delegation was in Cairo on Saturday as Egyptian state media reported “noticeable progress” in the ceasefire talks.
However, Israel has not sent a delegation to Cairo and a senior Israeli official downplayed prospects for a full end to the war while emphasising Israel’s commitment to invading Rafah.
Egyptian and Hamas officials have said the deal calls for an extended pause in fighting in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. But the sides remain at odds over whether the deal would include an end to the war and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Israel launched its war in response to Hamas deadly attack on Israel on October 7. Egypt and Qatar have been working with the United States to mediate a ceasefire.