Zikim Crossing Reopened for Humanitarian Aid Amid Gaza Crisis

Israel has reopened the Zikim crossing into northern Gaza to allow humanitarian aid trucks, after months of limited access. Aid deliveries face strict security checks and damaged infrastructure. The move follows a ceasefire agreement with Hamas amid a severe humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands of deaths and widespread destruction in Gaza.

Israel’s authority responsible for civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, known as COGAT, announced on Wednesday that the Zikim crossing into northern Gaza has been opened to allow the entry of humanitarian aid. This crossing will serve as a route for trucks carrying aid supplied by the United Nations or other non-governmental organizations. However, COGAT emphasized that all aid trucks would be subjected to screenings by Israeli security forces. Humanitarian workers have long criticized these security checks, describing them as overly lengthy, complex, and restrictive, with many essential items delayed or barred due to complicated regulations.

Even after passing through the crossing, aid delivery within Gaza faces severe logistical challenges. Roads have been heavily damaged by ongoing conflict, and the lack of functional infrastructure hampers the timely distribution of supplies. The United Nations estimates that approximately 83% of all structures in Gaza have been partially destroyed, creating additional obstacles for humanitarian operations and making access to affected communities extremely difficult.

The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza has been described as dire. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC), a UN-backed program, has reported famine-like conditions in the region, although COGAT disputes these findings. Earlier in the spring and summer, Israel blocked nearly all aid from entering Gaza, contributing to widespread malnutrition, a severe shortage of medical supplies, and an escalating humanitarian crisis.

The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on the population. The Gaza Health Ministry estimates that at least 68,000 people have died in the enclave since the October 7, 2023, attacks led by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in Israel. Most of those who died in Gaza were civilians, including an estimated 20,000 children, according to the humanitarian organization Save the Children. These figures highlight the severe human cost of the conflict and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

The recent reopening of the Zikim crossing to humanitarian aid forms a central component of the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in October. The agreement seeks to ease the suffering of civilians in Gaza by allowing more aid to enter the territory, although the process remains complicated due to the continued security screenings and infrastructure challenges. International humanitarian organizations continue to call for increased access, more streamlined procedures, and expanded aid delivery to address the ongoing crisis and prevent further loss of life in Gaza.