Israeli government orders closure of Zikim crossing, which is most direct route to food distribution points located in central and south Gaza
We are continuing our live coverage of the latest developments in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Israel’s war on Gaza.
Israel closed crossings into northern Gaza on Thursday, cutting the most direct route for aid to reach hundreds of thousands of Palestinian people at risk of famine due to Israeli restrictions on food being allowed into the devastated territory.
After blocking all food for two and a half months, Israel has allowed only a trickle of supplies into Gaza since mid-May.
As the Guardian’s international security correspondent, Jason Burke, notes in this story, the closure of the Zikim crossing, which Israel claimed was necessary to stop Hamas seizing aid, was “very problematic” and would directly impact aid distribution. Here is an extract from his piece:
