Humanitarian assistance from Egypt for the Gaza Strip (Twitter account of journalist Hassan Aslih, May 23, 2021).
Overview
- Operation Guardian of the Walls: Since a ceasefire was declared on May 21, 2021, there has been a tense calm in the Gaza Strip, where so far the Palestinian terrorist organizations have honored it. However, the Hamas leadership threatened that the time allotted for establishing a long-term ceasefire is about to expire and Israel has yet to commit itself to its conditions. A lack of progress, according to the Hamas leadership, will lead to a renewal of hostilities. In the meantime, the international community has been examining ways to rebuild the Gaza Strip. The intention is apparently to send funds through the Palestinian Authority (PA), a plan which has already been opposed by Hamas. On May 25, 2021, American Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the Middle East to promote the ceasefire and advance assistance for the Gaza Strip.
- Judea and Samaria: Despite the ceasefire, the tension in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem has not eased. On May 24, 2021 a Palestinian terrorist carried out a stabbing attack at a light railway station, wounding an IDF soldier and a civilian. The renewed entrance of Jews into the Temple Mount compound on May 23, 2021, enraged the Palestinians. Palestinian spokesmen called for intervention from the American administration to stop “Israel’s provocations and escalation,” and warned of a renewal of hostilities.
- The Gaza Strip: After the crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip were closed during Operation Guardian of the Walls, as of May 25, 2021, Israel allowed the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom Crossing and the exit of Gazans seeking medical care through the Erez Crossing. The fishing zone off the Gaza coast was reopened to a distance of six nautical miles. Convoys of supplies began entering the Gaza Strip through the Rafah Crossing. According to the UNRWA representative in the Gaza Strip, there is no lack of food or humanitarian equipment. Meanwhile, Hamas has been constructing its victory narrative with rallies and public events, with the participation of members of the leadership, where speeches were made directly threatening Israel.
- Covid-19: Active cases continue declining in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip.