Cash to Close vs. Closing Costs: What’s the Difference?

International humanitarian organizations claim they still encounter violence and practical challenges when attempting to provide aid throughout the famine-threatened region, following the death of World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza due to an Israel airstrike that drew international condemnation.

A week after the World Central Kitchen attack, UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram tells TIME over the phone from Rafah on Sunday about a terrifying and fruitless attempt to deliver aid to north Gaza. While waiting at a checkpoint, the convoy she was traveling in—which had been prearranged with the Israel Defense Forces—was caught in the crossfire. Although Ingram is unsure of the shooter, she believes the shots originated from the direction of the checkpoint, which she calculates to be less than a kilometer (about half a mile) away.

“The IDF works in order to prevent harm to humanitarian teams,” the statement from the IDF tells TIME after an investigation indicates that its forces “were not within firing range of the convoy at the time and place indicated and it was found that no fire was carried out at the vehicle by the IDF.” ”.

In response, Ingram states, “We believe it’s critical that an impartial inquiry be carried out in order to clarify the events that transpired and guarantee that going forward, we have the required security to provide aid.” ”.

The need is dire. One million people in Gaza face an impending famine, according to a warning issued last month by the global authority on food insecurity. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 28 children have died of malnutrition and dehydration as of April 12.

Despite the needs, more than half of recent requested aid missions to north Gaza were unsuccessful, the U. N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported. Between April 6, 2012, and April 7, 2017, Israel facilitated 2041 percent of the missions; the remaining 2041 percent were denied or impeded, including because of hostilities; in 2017, aid groups canceled most of the missions due to logistical constraints.

World Central Kitchen claims that it coordinated its movements with Israel prior to the military attacking its convoy on April 2, demonstrating that even well-planned missions can be risky. Following what Israel described as a “grave mistake,” seven aid workers died as a result, prompting President Joe Biden to issue an ultimatum to Israel: either increase food aid into Gaza and take action to protect civilians, or risk losing U.S. S. support.

In response, Israel declared it would create new channels for the entry of additional aid, including a crossing into the northern Gaza Strip. According to an email sent to TIME by COGAT, the IDF’s humanitarian branch, more than 300 trucks entered Gaza every day last week as part of an increase in aid.

Biden said Wednesday that the number of trucks was still “not enough. ” Data from UNRWA, the U. N. ‘s Palestinian relief organization only slightly increases (the organization counts trucks in a different way than COGAT, according to the Associated Press). COGAT accused the U. N. of failing to gather supplies, sharing a photo of goods stacked inside Gaza on X, and claiming that “the Israeli side is not the bottleneck.” ”.

The U. N. ‘s head has resisted, saying that workers are being threatened by bombardment and fighting because “the real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid.” Since the war began on Oct. 7, 217 aid workers have been killed in Gaza, according to the Aid Worker Security Database.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X that “the increase in aid is not yet tangible, sustained or uninterrupted.” “Aid also needs to reach safely all those in need. ”.

Here’s what Ingram tells TIME about the challenges to delivering aid and the needs. The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

What happened on Tuesday at the checkpoint?

After receiving the all clear to depart rather late, we got on the road and headed up toward the Salah Al-Din checkpoint on the Wadi Gaza line. We were instructed to wait in the designated holding areas for convoys, which is not unusual. We were examining a mechanical issue with our car in that holding area when there was gunfire.

Do you know what instigated it or where it came from?

I don’t know what instigated it. It appeared to be coming from the checkpoint’s direction, heading south, and it appeared to be directed at civilians, or what appeared to be civilians, who subsequently turned and fled in the opposite direction. I would say I saw a dozen (apparent civilians).

Closing Costs vs Cash to Close – Clear Explanation

Do closing costs include cash to close?

Although closing costs are part of your cash to close, they don’t include the total amount of cash you need to bring with you to the closing table. Instead, closing costs represent the money you pay to get the loan. Some charges you pay depend on the lender and the type of loan you get.

What does cash to close mean?

While closing costs refer to the fees you pay a lender to close on your loan, cash to close is the total amount you’ll need to bring to your closing to complete your real estate purchase. This includes closing costs that increase your cost to close and credits that can decrease it.

What does cash to close include?

Your cash to close includes: Closing costs: Both buyers and sellers will pay closing costs of some kind — for buyers, they generally include fees related to the mortgage financing, such as loan origination, credit check, title services, home inspection and appraisal and a recording fee.

Do you have to pay closing costs?

Yes, you do have to pay closing costs, whether you’re buying a home or refinancing. Most of the closing costs are paid by the buyer, but typically, the seller will have to pay some too. The real estate agent’s commission is just one example. How Much are Closing Costs?