US says Israel will open new Gaza aid crossing as Nov. 13 aid deadline approaches
State Department says Israel committed to opening Kissufim crossing and has made progress on aid delivery; Trump win may remove US leverage on arms support after Biden ultimatum
Israel has informed the United States that it plans to open a new aid crossing into Gaza at Kissufim in the Strip’s center in the coming days, the US State Department said on Thursday, as Washington continues to push Israel to improve humanitarian access to the Strip.
The announcement comes as the Biden administration’s November 13 deadline approaches, by which Israel must make significant progress on humanitarian aid delivery — or risk having military assistance withheld.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed Thursday that Israel has committed to opening Kissufim to allow more aid to flow into the region.
Kissufim is a small border crossing into southern Gaza near Kibbutz Kissufim which was attacked in the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault that sparked the war. The crossing has mostly been out of use except by the military since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005.
“We have continued to press them, and we have seen them take additional steps,” Miller said, noting that the United States has also pressed Israel to ensure that at least 350 aid trucks enter Gaza daily. On Tuesday, 229 trucks were allowed to pass through, still below the target.
On Friday, the Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) confirmed that the Kissufim Crossing will open soon following the completion of engineering work carried out in the area in recent weeks.
“As part of the works, forces worked to build inspection and protection infrastructures in the area as well as to pave roads, in the territory of Israel and in the territory of the Gaza Strip, which allow the entry of aid to the south of the Gaza Strip while strengthening the protection of the [Gaza border] communities,” COGAT said in a statement.
This move is part of a broader effort by the US to ensure that Israel complies with demands laid out in an October 13 letter from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The letter outlined specific steps Israel must take to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the creation of new delivery routes, the expansion of the Mawasi coastal humanitarian zone, and ensuring that aid reaches civilians trapped in northern Gaza.
Miller also highlighted Israel’s progress in reopening critical aid routes into northern Gaza, including areas around Jabalia, which had been cut off for weeks due to ongoing military operations.
In addition to these actions, the US has called for the establishment of a new communication channel between Israeli and US officials to discuss civilian harm incidents. This was one of the key demands in the letter, aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in Israel’s military operations. The new channel is expected to convene for the first time within the next week or two.
While Israel has taken some steps to meet these demands, US officials have stressed that more needs to be done. Austin noted that while progress has been made, the situation remains critical.
However, the looming transition to President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to offer Israel greater leeway in its military actions, raises questions about how much leverage the US will have in curbing weapon shipments to Israel.
The US is committed to continuing its efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza while also addressing broader regional concerns, including the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon and the release of hostages. However, with Trump set to take office soon, it remains unclear how US policy toward Israel will evolve in the coming months.
Miller said that in the 74 days remaining before Trump enters office, the US is committed to working to bring an end to the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, while surging humanitarian assistance, securing the release of the hostages and preventing further regional escalation.
