In an effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, the Biden administration is pushing Israel to open a second crossing, according to three U.S. officials and three aid group leaders. Despite repeated requests, Israel has thus far declined to open the vital Kerem Shalom crossing, citing military and political concerns. Critics argue that the closure of the crossing prevents essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and clothing from reaching the 2.3 million Palestinians living in Gaza.

The senior officials within the Biden administration have consistently brought up the issue of Kerem Shalom's opening in various meetings. The closure of this crossing has prompted international aid organizations to urge the U.S. government to use its influence to persuade Israel to grant access to the crossing. While the United Nations and aid agencies have long advocated for the opening of Kerem Shalom, the involvement of the U.S. government has not been previously reported.

Currently, the only operational crossing into Gaza is located at Rafah on the Egyptian border. However, this route is ill-equipped to handle the influx of aid vehicles required to meet the region's needs. In contrast, Kerem Shalom, positioned at the intersection of Gaza, Egypt, and Israel, is better suited to accommodate hundreds of aid trucks on a daily basis. It possesses robust inspection capabilities to ensure that only humanitarian assistance is permitted entry.

Despite the advantages of opening Kerem Shalom, Israel remains resistant due to military and political considerations. This resistance has caused significant difficulties for humanitarian groups operating within Gaza, hindering the distribution of much-needed medical and food supplies. Many aid organizations have amassed supplies on the Egyptian side of the border, resulting in long waiting times for trucks attempting to cross into Gaza.

Samantha Power, the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, recently visited al-Arish in Egypt, a major hub for collecting and shipping aid to Palestinians. Power reported that only one-third of the provisions pledged by the United Nations had reached Gaza. The Israeli government agency COGAT, responsible for coordinating aid deliveries into Gaza, has publicly placed blame on the U.N. for failing to streamline the movement of trucks waiting on the Egyptian side of the border.

International aid organizations have countered this accusation, asserting that Israel is deliberately obstructing the entry of trucks. They argue that the notion of the U.N. being responsible for the aid delivery failure is baseless. Despite the organizations' efforts, they contend that even an increase in aid flows would be insufficient while Gaza remains under Israeli blockade and ongoing bombardment.

Israeli officials express concerns that a line of trucks entering Gaza via Kerem Shalom would be vulnerable to attack by Hamas. In the past, Palestinian terrorists targeted the checkpoint with explosive-laden vehicles, causing injuries to Israeli soldiers. Additionally, masked gunmen infiltrated Israel through Kerem Shalom after killing Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula.

The dire situation in Gaza is evident, with the U.N. reporting approximately 1.9 million displaced people, 60% of housing units destroyed or damaged, and limited access to clean water. The average waiting time for half a portion of bread is four to six hours, and only 18 out of the territory's 36 hospitals are operational.

As the ongoing conflict threatens to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, the Biden administration is intensifying its public calls for Israel to prioritize the reduction of civilian harm. With fears that the resumption and escalation of fighting will worsen the desperate situation in Gaza, the U.S. officials are actively engaging with Egypt, Israel, and other stakeholders to ensure continuous and increased humanitarian assistance.

The path to resolving this issue remains uncertain, as Israeli officials maintain their concerns and the Biden administration emphasizes the importance of aid delivery to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.