The Hamas terrorist group turned back two Israeli aid trucks from the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza on Wednesday, refusing to accept any medical supplies, fuel, and resources from the IDF.
The crossing was reopened on Tuesday following burning by rioters on Friday which caused $8.4 million in damage to the infrastructure. The Hamas-orchestrated attack involved torching the fuel terminal and two conveyor belts used to transfer animal feed. Since reopening, the crossing has only been able to function to a partial capacity due to the extensive damage caused to the fuel lines – the only way to bring diesel and gasoline into Gaza.
At the Kerem Shalom, Israel facilitated the entrance of eight trucks full of medical equipment into Gaza. Four were from the Palestinian Authority, two from the United Nations Children’s Fund, and another two from the Israel Defence Forces’ Technological and Logistics Directorate.
Hamas allowed the UN and PA trucks through but rejected all resources provided by the IDF, despite hospitals making pleas for more medical aid. The director of Gaza’s Shifa Hospital’s emergency department had earlier stated that medical supplies were running out and there was a shortage of equipment and beds.
The trucks contained over 14,000 units of intravenous infusions, 40 medical basins, 20 medical examination couches, 25 infusion stands, 85,000 disinfectant pads and 12,500 bandages.
Palestinian officials also turned back 14 trucks full of non-medical supplies, including food and diapers. It is so far unclear as to why the border officials, who are employed by the Palestinian Authority, would not accept the shipments.
The transfer of aid was facilitated by the IDF in coordination with the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) and the Gaza District Coordination and Liaison office. A COGAT official noted that ‘Hamas basically said it would rather get no equipment than get aid from Israel’.
