US, UN demand Israel reopen Rafah, Kerem Shalom crossings to allow aid into Gaza

Israel must immediately reopen the Kerem Shalom and the Rafah Crossings into Gaza to allow for the entry of humanitarian assistance, the United Nations and the White House said on Tuesday.

“The crossings that have been closed need to reopen, it is unacceptable for them to be closed,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in Washington.

UN and other international aid agencies said the closures had virtually cut the enclave off from outside aid and very few stores of food were available inside.

Red Crescent sources in Egypt said shipments had completely halted.

The Rafah crossing into Egypt was also the only exit point for those needing to leave Gaza for medical treatment no longer available in the enclave.

The UN warned that Gaza could run out of fuel unless action was taken, fuel that is needed to sustain communications networks and transportation.

Jean-Pierre said that Israel had promised that Kerem Shalom would re-open and that fuel shipment through Rafah would resume on Wednesday.

“We believe the Rafah border crossing should also be quickly reopened for the movement of humanitarian assistance. We are insisting that there should be no disruptions of humanitarian assistance flows,” she said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed to reporters in New York that, “The closure of both the

Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings is especially damaging to an already dire humanitarian situation.” They must be re-opened immediately.”

The IDF closed Kerem Shalom, the main crossing from Israel to Gaza which serves as the main entry point for commercial goods, after a Hamas rocket attack killed four soldiers there on Sunday.

The Rafah crossing was shut down after Israel seized the Palestinian side of the passageway between Egypt and