Why Israel may reopen a key crossing with Gaza

Facing pressure to get more aid into the Gaza Strip, Israel said this week it is working toward opening the Erez crossing, a major checkpoint between Israel and northern Gaza.

Jamie McGoldrick, U.N. humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, said in a statement Saturday that Israel “plans to open Erez Crossing temporarily to move much needed food, water and sanitation items, shelter and health materials from Ashdod port” in southern Israel, north of the Erez crossing. But the timing of the reopening remains unclear. McGoldrick said on Friday that Israel had not yet ratified the decision to open the crossing, and that once approved, the checkpoint would not be operational for a few weeks.