Israel's Kerem Shalom is center of globalattention over fight on aid into the Gaza Strip

A number of Israeli politicians have at times called forand implemented short-lived policies - to cut offthe delivery of humanitarian aid into the strip,especially in the first fraught weeks following Hamas'sshocking Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel.

Far-right Israeli protesters have sought to block aidtrucks from reaching Israeli checkpoints, a small partof the many challenges complicating aid delivery tothe estimated two million Palestinians under siegeamid Israel's war against Hamas.

Instances like these, and in particular statements byIsraeli officials calling for a full blockade of Gaza, feedinto allegations of violations against internationalhumanitarian law, war crimes, and acts of genocide.

Israel says that it is committed to upholding itsobligations under international humanitarian law andfacilitating the aid moving into the Gaza Strip.

But distribution on the Palestinian side is an enormouschallenge. International NGOs are asking for theIsraelis to provide safe and predictable access routesfor the movement of aid, and allow for the safemovement of humanitarian workers in and out of Gaza.

And the Kerem Shalom crossing has moved to thecenter of international attention for being one of thefew land crossings that allows for large shipments ofhumanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and the movement of humanitarian workers.