An Israeli strike on Thursday targeted the southern Gaza Strip, killing the head of the Kerem Shalom border crossing, Bassem Ghaben, and three others, according to the Hamas government authorities. The Israeli army and COGAT did not respond to requests for comment.
Israel approved the temporary delivery of aid into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing after weeks of pressure. However, a “drone strike” hampered relief operations, with the UNRWA and the World Food Programme unable to receive aid trucks after the strike.
The UN has criticized Israel for “limited” steps to allow aid into Gaza, citing concerns about the human catastrophe on the ground. The UN estimates that 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents have been displaced.
The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing around 1,140 people, and abducting about 250. The Hamas government’s media office said that Israel’s assault had killed at least 20,000 people in the Palestinian territory.
