Israel expands Gaza aid crossing ahead of major offensive VIDEO

The Israeli military announced on September 12 that it has begun expanding “Crossing 147” in southern Gaza to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the area. 

According to the statement by Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the expansion, led by the Southern Command and COGAT, includes paving new routes and enlarging the designated area for merchandise and goods, Caliber.Az reports. 

Once complete, the crossing’s capacity is expected to rise to 150 trucks per day—triple the current level—allowing for a greater influx of aid, with a particular focus on food supplies, the IDF says. 

The development comes as the IDF pushes Palestinian civilians in Gaza City to move to the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in the south ahead of a planned military offensive against Hamas in the city. Out of the roughly one million residents in Gaza City, Israeli estimates suggest that around 250,000 have evacuated so far.

Meanwhile, local hospital sources reported 42 fatalities in Gaza on September 12, with 33 of those occurring in Gaza City or northern areas of the Strip. Among the latest victims was a resident killed in an apartment strike in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City, according to an ambulance official.

By Sabina Mammadli