Israel said on Wednesday it has reopened the Zikim crossing to allow humanitarian aid trucks into northern Gaza.
"Today, the Zikim crossing has been opened for the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into the Gaza Strip," said a statement from the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a body under Israel's Defense Ministry responsible for carrying out the government's civilian and humanitarian policies in the Palestinian territories.
The statement added that the aid would be delivered by the United Nations and international organizations after undergoing "thorough security inspections" by the Land Crossings Authority of the Defense Ministry, and that the move followed a "directive of the political echelon."
The UN and international aid agencies have long urged Israel to reopen crossings to northern Gaza so that more supplies can reach the area hit hard by the war. The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a situation update in late October that "the opening of direct crossings to the north is vital to ensure that sufficient aid reaches people as soon as possible."
Aid delivery to Gaza has been hampered by intensive Israeli security inspections and strict restrictions on permitted goods, humanitarian officials say.
Even after trucks enter the enclave, distributing supplies remains difficult due to widespread infrastructure destruction and the risk of looting.
The ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10 has not completely stopped Israeli attacks in Gaza, with Israeli forces continuing demolitions in areas under their control. At least 245 people have been killed since the truce began, bringing the total death toll from Israeli attacks since Oct. 7, 2023 to at least 69,185, according to Gaza's health authorities.
Photo taken on Nov. 13, 2025 shows trucks that carry commercial goods and enter through the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza Strip. Israel said on Wednesday it has reopened the Zikim crossing to allow humanitarian aid trucks into northern Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Photo taken on Nov. 13, 2025 shows a truck that carries commercial goods and enters through the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza Strip. Israel said on Wednesday it has reopened the Zikim crossing to allow humanitarian aid trucks into northern Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Photo taken on Nov. 13, 2025 shows a truck that carries commercial goods and enters through the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza Strip. Israel said on Wednesday it has reopened the Zikim crossing to allow humanitarian aid trucks into northern Gaza. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
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