Latest Developments since Tuesday, 5 January
6 January: Clashes took place at Rafah Crossing between Egyptian forces and Palestinians protesting Egypt's refusal to allow the entry of an aid convoy into Gaza and the reported underground system to control access along the Egyptian side of the border. As a result, an Egyptian soldier was shot dead and dozens of Palestinians sustained injuries.
On the same day, a bomb was detonated at a coffee shop in Gaza City during the night, resulting in the injury of a number of bystanders. No one claimed responsibility for the incident.
7 January: the Kerem Shalom Crossing has been closed after a number of rockets, reportedly launched by Palestinian armed groups, landed in its vicinity. This is the first time since 25 December 2008 that Israel has closed Kerem Shalom in direct response to Palestinian shooting. Since the beginning of the year, Kerem Shalom is the only operational crossing for importing goods into Gaza, except for the Karni conveyer belt.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.