US reveals Israel let commercial goods into Gaza for first time since war began
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Israel allowed commercial goods into Gaza on Saturday for the first time since the start of the war, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller reveals.
Israel has yet to announce the decision on its own, one of a pair it adopted over the weekend, following significant US pressure.
Yesterday, Israel reopened its Kerem Shalom Crossing to allow aid to enter Gaza directly from Israel for the first time since the war.
The move helped facilitate the entry of nearly 200 trucks into Gaza for the first time since the seven-day truce at the end of November.
The commercial goods that went in on Saturday were transported through Egypt’s Rafah Crossing and mostly contained food, Miller says, adding that more commercial goods will enter the Strip today.
“We hope to see this [commercial goods] channel solidified and expanded over the coming days,” Miller says. “It is a critical step toward improving the lives of the Palestinian people in Gaza that we see not just humanitarian aid delivered, but also commercial goods that can be sold in stores and markets.”
“While this weekend’s breakthroughs [regarding aid] are important, they are by themselves not sufficient. We will continue to work closely with the governments of Israel, Egypt, and partner countries in the region to further increase the humanitarian assistance flowing into Gaza to address the needs of the Palestinian people,” Miller adds.
