Jerusalem: Israeli settlers and activists blocked the passage of humanitarian aid trucks headed toward Gaza on Friday morning, halting supplies near the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing—the primary commercial and aid gateway between Israel and the besieged enclave. Footage shared widely on Israeli social media and news outlets showed settlers standing in front of the convoy, obstructing its path.
The protest is reportedly led by members of the Tzav 9 movement and relatives of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza. Their goal, as stated in Israeli media reports, is to pressure the government into halting aid shipments until all captives are released. Several trucks were seen immobilized on the road while protesters chanted and waved banners.
This demonstration comes as aid deliveries to Gaza have become increasingly controversial inside Israel, where many view the shipments as unjustified while hostages remain in Hamas custody. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations continue to warn of catastrophic conditions inside Gaza, where over two million Palestinians are suffering from food shortages, lack of medical care, and mass displacement amid ongoing Israeli bombardment.
The Kerem Shalom crossing is one of the few functioning entry points for aid into Gaza, and any obstruction there significantly disrupts the already fragile relief effort. As the war drags on and ceasefire negotiations remain stalled, these settler-led blockades further complicate efforts to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding just kilometers away.
