Oversight & ethics enforcementPublic safety & negligence

OCHA: Israel's Zikim crossing into Gaza closed on May 24, 2026, leaving Kerem Shalom the only cargo entry point, after an Ashdod scanner fault had already slowed aid clearance

Confidence: Confirmed · 2 sourcesIsrael · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)

Also named

Oversight

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

What happened

OCHA's Humanitarian Situation Reports document that the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza was closed on 24 May 2026, leaving Kerem Shalom as the only entry point for both humanitarian and commercial cargo. OCHA's 27 March 2026 report had earlier noted Zikim closed for a fourth consecutive week, with Israeli authorities citing security concerns linked to the regional escalation; the June report gives no reason for the 24 May closure. The March report also said ongoing technical problems with the Ashdod port scanner were hampering aid clearance, with about 30 containers a day cleared through individual physical inspection. In the 1-15 June period partners collected nearly 19,800 pallets, 32 percent fewer than 1-15 May (UN 2720 mechanism data cited by OCHA).

Sources (2)

OCHA oPt - Humanitarian Situation Report, 27 March 2026Ongoing technical problems with the Ashdod scanner are significantly hampering aid clearance operations... approximately 30 containers per day being cleared through individual physical inspection. Zikim crossing has been unavailable for the fourth consecutive week; the Israeli authorities cited security concerns linked to the regional escalation as the reason for the closure.

OCHA oPt - Humanitarian Situation Report, 19 June 2026Kerem Shalom Crossing remains the only entry point for both humanitarian and commercial cargo following the closure of the Zikim Crossing on 24 May... between 1-15 June, partners collected nearly 19,800 pallets, a 32 per cent decrease compared with 1-15 May.

Response

Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)

Statement given

Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.

What happened next (0)

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