Latest Developments

Egypt resumed transferring aid into Gaza by rerouting trucks to Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing on May 26, nearly three weeks after Egypt closed its Rafah crossing into Gaza. Approximately 200 trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including four fuel tankers, are expected to enter Israel from Egypt on May 26, according to Reuters. These trucks will increase the total number of aid trucks entering Gaza via several crossings in Israel. Around 2,000 aid trucks entered Gaza from Israel between May 19 and May 26, The Times of Israel noted.

Egypt’s decision followed a conversation on May 24 between U.S. President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. They reached an understanding that Egypt will send aid deliveries through Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing until a formal agreement can reopen the Rafah crossing along the Egyptian border. On May 7, Israel took control of the Gazan side of the crossing after Hamas launched rockets at Kerem Shalom from the area on May 5.

Expert Analysis

“The resumption of Egyptian humanitarian aid to Gaza via Israel is an important development. Egypt closed the Rafah crossing to Gaza after the Israel Defense Forces removed Hamas’s control over the Gazan side of the crossing in early May. It is essential that Hamas be defeated in Rafah and that humanitarian aid can enter Gaza without Hamas stealing or diverting it.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Cairo should stop its traditional playbook game that increases the suffering of Palestinians just so it can blame Israel in the international arena and utilize that blame to bargain behind closed doors. This doesn’t make Egypt look like a serious meditator in the eyes of both Washington and Jerusalem. Aid should continue to enter Gaza, regardless of policy disagreements over the Rafah crossing.” — Haisam Hassanein, FDD Adjunct Fellow

Hamas Fires Long-Range Rockets at Tel Aviv

Hamas launched at least eight long-range rockets at Tel Aviv on May 26. Israel’s air defense array intercepted several projectiles, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. No injuries or deaths have been reported. The attack marks the first time that rockets targeted central Israel in almost four months.

Additionally, on May 26, the IDF Givati Brigade — one of the units that have operated in Rafah since the IDF began operations in the city on May 7 — eliminated thirty terrorist gunmen and located an underground terrorist weapons depot. Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visited IDF troops fighting in Rafah on May 26 and told the soldiers that Israel’s “goal[s] in the Gaza Strip have become much clearer here in Rafah — to eliminate Hamas, bring back the hostages, and maintain freedom of action.”