Despite the constant fire into Israel, the Kerem Shalom crossing remained open during Operation Protective Edge and the flow of goods and fuel into the Gaza Strip continued.

 

The Kerem Shalom crossing continues to operate with high security. The IDF acceded to the request of hundreds of Palestinians who hold foreign citizenship to leave the Gaza Strip. The Erez Crossing in northern Gaza also remains open to Palestinian pedestrians for humanitarian cases.

At 12:30pm on August 10, a barrage of rockets struck inside the Kerem Shalom Crossing, forcing its temporary closure until workers can safely operate in the area.

Only 34 of the 283 trucks that were scheduled were able to cross into Gaza, depriving the people of Gaza of:
• 94 trucks of food
• 20 trucks of bottled water and drinks
• 16 trucks with humanitarian and medical supplies
• 14 trucks of agricultural materials
• 53 trucks of mixed goods (i.e. clothing, cleaning supplies, etc.)
• 27 trucks of equipment and supplies for international organizations carrying food, medicines, water
By firing rockets on Kerem Shalom on August 10, Hamas also prevented the entry of much-needed fuel to Gaza.


On August 8, despite Hamas' resumption of rocket fire, 135 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip.

On August 7, the 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire was still in effect, facilitating movements, infrastructure repairs and damage assessments around Gaza.
On August 7, 254 trucks carrying 4,718 tons of goods and supplies entered Gaza via the Kerem Shalom Crossing.
Among the trucks that entered were:
• 149 trucks carrying 3,129 tons of food
•   13 trucks carrying 106 tons of medicine and medical supplies
•   51 trucks carrying 407 tons of humanitarian supplies
•     5 trucks carrying 51 tons of agricultural supplies

On August 6, 236 trucks carrying 4,196 tons of goods and supplies entered Gaza via Kerem Shalom Crossing.

Among the trucks that entered were:
• 131 trucks carrying 2,526 tons of food
•     5 trucks carrying 27 tons of medicine and medical supplies
•   43 trucks carrying 313 tons of humanitarian supplies
•     6 trucks with 110 tons of equipment to help repair infrastructure.
•     1 truck carrying 7 tons of agricultural supplies
A team of 22 doctors from the West Bank entered the Gaza Strip in order to assist current medical staff.

On August 5, a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire went into effect. This ceasefire is particularly important inorder to facilitate humanitarian efforts on the ground and enable an assessment of infrastructural damage. As a result of the ceasefire the largest number of trucks (243) entered Gaza since before the operation began, including five trucks carrying new ambulances and a donation of medicines and medical supplies via the Erez Crossing.

On August 4, Israel established a center for coordinating the transfer of humanitarian aid - with the participation of international aid organizations - in order to streamline the process.