In response to rocket fire near Kerem Shalom, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) closed the crossing point for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The Ezzedine al-Qassam brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement, claimed responsibility for the attack and released a video showing their short-range rockets being fired in the area.
Following the incident, the IDF reported that approximately 10 projectiles were fired from near the Rafah Crossing towards Kerem Shalom. In retaliation, IAF fighter jets targeted the launcher and also struck a military structure in the launcher area. The IDF accused Hamas of launching rockets near civilian shelters, exploiting humanitarian facilities and using the civilian population of Gaza as human shields.
The escalation of violence in this region highlights ongoing tensions between Hamas and Israel. The closure of Kerem Shalom crossing has severely impacted the delivery of crucial humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, exacerbating an already dire situation in the region. Immediate action is needed to de-escalate tensions and find a peaceful resolution to this conflict to prevent further harm to civilians on both sides.