With a November 13 deadline approaching for Israel to enhance humanitarian aid to Gaza, the U.S. State Department has confirmed that Israel plans to open a new aid crossing at Kissufim in central Gaza. This move is part of ongoing U.S. pressure on Israel to improve access to humanitarian assistance for Gazan civilians amid the ongoing conflict.
The Biden administration had issued a letter in mid-October demanding that Israel improve its aid delivery to Gaza or face potential cuts to U.S. military assistance. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin outlined steps Israel must take, including opening new aid routes and establishing a humanitarian zone along Gaza’s Mawasi coastline. Israel has committed to allowing more than 350 aid trucks per day into Gaza, although recent numbers fell short of this target, with only 229 trucks passing through on Tuesday.
The U.S. has also urged Israel to set up a communication channel with U.S. officials to discuss incidents impacting civilians, aiming to increase transparency around Israel’s military operations. This channel is expected to be operational soon.
In the meantime, Israel’s Defense Ministry confirmed that the Kissufim crossing will soon be operational after significant engineering work to enhance security for nearby communities. COGAT, Israel’s military body managing civil affairs in the territories, stated that new infrastructure would allow for safe entry of humanitarian aid.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, it is uncertain whether the U.S. will maintain its current stance on Israeli military and humanitarian policy. Trump has expressed support for a less restrictive approach toward Israel’s military actions, potentially altering the leverage the Biden administration currently holds.
The U.S. has committed to continuing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to work on de-escalating conflicts across the region, including in Gaza and Lebanon.