Islamabad, May 20, 2025: In a rare policy shift, Israel has allowed limited humanitarian aid into Gaza, breaking a near three-month-long blockade amid escalating global pressure and alarming levels of hunger in the besieged enclave.
The partial reopening of the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing comes as international scrutiny mounts over the deteriorating humanitarian crisis faced by 2.3 million Palestinians.
On Monday, a restricted number of aid trucks crossed into Gaza through the Karem Abu Salem crossing—the first such delivery since early March. The development follows intense diplomatic pressure from Israel’s Western allies and growing alarm over the possibility of a mass famine in the war-torn territory.
Despite the symbolic breakthrough, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher criticized the move as insufficient. “This is merely a drop in the ocean,” Fletcher stated. “Without a dramatic increase in aid deliveries starting immediately, lives will continue to be lost.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) echoed those concerns, warning that over two million Gazans now face imminent famine. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed that 160,000 tonnes of essential food and medical supplies remain blocked just minutes away at the border.
“People are dying from treatable illnesses as hospitals come under fire and medicines are held hostage,” he told delegates at the World Health Assembly.
Since March 2, Israel had enforced a complete blockade on Gaza in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed over 1,100 people in southern Israel.
Before the blockade, Gaza was receiving over 500 aid trucks daily. For nearly three months, that figure dropped to zero—until now.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that the decision came amid pressure from international allies. In a televised address, he stated, “Even our closest friends couldn’t ignore the images of hunger.
To win this war, we must address the humanitarian situation.”
However, Netanyahu was quick to assert that the volume of aid would remain “minimal.” This position drew criticism both from global humanitarian organizations and within his own far-right government coalition. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir slammed the move as a “grave mistake,” while Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu labeled it a “tragedy.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the delivery of just nine trucks of aid as grossly inadequate. “This is not humanitarian relief—this is a public relations ploy from a regime bent on destruction,” the group said.
International Response:
Western governments, including the UK, France, and Canada, issued a rare joint rebuke of Israel’s siege, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law. “We may consider targeted sanctions if humanitarian access continues to be restricted,” their statement read.
Additionally, foreign ministers from 22 countries—including Germany, Japan, Ireland, and the Nordic bloc—demanded the “immediate and full resumption of aid deliveries” to Gaza.
Ceasefire Talks Stalled:
Peace efforts remain at a standstill. Indirect negotiations in Doha have failed to produce a breakthrough on a ceasefire or the release of hostages.
Netanyahu confirmed that any potential deal would include Hamas’ exile and Gaza’s demilitarization—conditions the group has flatly rejected.
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Ongoing Military Offensive:
Despite the partial reopening for aid, Israel’s military operations remain intense. At least 84 Palestinians were reported killed in a fresh wave of airstrikes on Khan Younis on Monday alone.
The 24-hour casualty toll has now surpassed 150, according to Palestinian medical sources.
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Health officials in Gaza say they received no prior notice of the border reopening.
Hospitals continue to reel under overwhelming pressure, facing dire shortages of fuel, medicine, and power.
