Israel imposes new Gaza aid restrictions, keeps Rafah crossing closed

Gaza / Jerusalem –Israel has imposed new restrictions on humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip and kept the Rafah border crossing with Egypt closed, intensifying strain on the fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The move comes amid growing tensions over the slow release of Israeli hostage bodies and renewed violence in the enclave.

According to the United Nations, Israel notified officials that it will now allow only 300 aid trucks per day—half the number previously agreed upon—into Gaza. Fuel and gas deliveries have also been halted, except for limited humanitarian infrastructure needs.

🛑 Rafah Crossing Remains Shut
Despite earlier reports suggesting the Rafah crossing would reopen, Israeli security officials confirmed that “no such agreement has been reached.” Trucks loaded with food, medicine, and water remain stranded on the Egyptian side of the border.

The decision follows Hamas’s release of four bodies believed to be Israeli hostages. However, Israeli authorities claim one of the bodies does not match any known hostage, accusing Hamas of violating the terms of the ceasefire.

⚔️ Violence Resurfaces
Israeli forces reportedly killed several Palestinians in Gaza over the past 48 hours, further destabilizing the truce. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reported from Gaza City that the reduced aid is “not nearly enough” to prevent famine and medical collapse.

🌍 International Concern
Humanitarian groups and foreign governments have urged Israel to reconsider the restrictions. “The closure of Rafah and the aid cuts jeopardize civilian lives,” said Olga Cherevko of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with over 2 million residents facing dwindling supplies and rising uncertainty.