Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said his Security Cabinet approved a series of “immediate measures” to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including the reopening of a key border crossing into nearly devastated northern Gaza. , which was destroyed in the Hamas attack on October 7.
In a statement issued early on Friday (local time) it was reported that the Erez border crossing would be temporarily reopened
for the first time since the Hamas attack
.
It was also indicated that Israel would allow its Ashdod port to process aid shipments bound for Gaza, and increase Jordanian aid shipments through another land crossing.
A family inspects their home after it was bombed by Israeli forces in Rafah, April 4, 2024. Associated Press
“This increase in aid will prevent a humanitarian crisis and is necessary to ensure the continuation of the fighting and achieve the objectives of the war,” Netanyahu's office stated.
The announcement
did not detail the quantities or types of items that will be allowed in
.
The UN has stated that much of the population of northern Gaza is on the brink of famine.
The Erez border crossing, which is heavily fortified, was for years the only way in and out of the territory. It was severely damaged when Hamas militants stormed it on October 7 and has remained closed since then.
Israel's announcement came after President Joe Biden called on Israel, in a telephone conversation with Netanyahu, to take action “
to address harm to civilians
, humanitarian suffering and worker safety.” humanitarian.”
The roughly 30-minute call between Biden and Netanyahu, just days after Israeli airstrikes killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers in Gaza, added a new level of complication to the increasingly tense relationship between the two leaders.
Biden told Netanyahu that “an immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians.” He also urged him to “empower” his negotiators to reach an agreement that includes the release of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
Biden's message marked a sharp reversal in his Administration's firm support for Israel's war efforts, with the US president
threatening for the first time to reconsider his support if Israel
does not change its tactics and allow much more humanitarian aid into Loop.
The White House would not specify what could change in American policy, other than a change in military sales to Israel and diplomatic support for the United States on the world stage.
With information from
The Associated Press