Several Israeli casualties were reported on Sunday noon after mortar fire hit the Kerem Shalom Crossing Point in the Gaza Strip in the southern part of the coastal enclave. Helicopters and aircraft were scrambled to the area. Hamas claimed responsibility for the barrage in which 10 rockets and several mortar shells were fired at the terminal, which is used to transport humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. Three of the injured were treated for severe wounds. The IDF said it struck back Hamas targets.
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The Eshkol Regional Council said that "a barrage of rockets was fired towards the Kerem Shalom area. Several rockets exploded in an open area and there are injuries on site. The injured are not residents of the council and we pray for their well-being."
The IDF issued the following statement: "Following the sirens that sounded in the area of Kerem Shalom, approximately 10 projectile launches were identified crossing from the area adjacent to the Rafah Crossing toward the area of Kerem Shalom. The Kerem Shalom Crossing is currently closed to the passage of humanitarian aid trucks." At lease 7 people were taken for medical care.
A representative of the protest movement against transferring humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip stated: "From the place Hamas fires missiles at, the State of Israel transfers aid - this is another terrible reminder of the horrible absurdity. The well-oiled massive machine of the Israeli government for Hamas' trucks continues as usual today. The aid reaching Gaza in the midst of war is working overtime from all directions and crossings in order to pamper the Mukhabarat terrorists. While our captives groan there in subhuman conditions, the Hamas terror organization is firing at the place where trucks are entering for them. Enough already?"
