The White House reported this Thursday evening that IIsrael has agreed to open another crossing and port to ask for help to enter Gaza in the midst of a serious humanitarian crisis, following that of President Joe Biden earlier threatened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by telephone to change the support policy unconditionally to Israel if it does not take concrete measures to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza.
The information was released in a National Security Council statement, hours after the tense 30-minute phone call between Biden and Netanyahu. In that conversation, Biden expressed his outrage over the attack that killed 7 World Central Kitchen volunteers in Gaza and threatened the Israeli leader with conditions on future support for Israel if it did not protect civilians and those providing assistance in that attack on the territory under siege. by Israeli forces after the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October.
In a statement released, the National Security Council said Israel agreed to open the Erez crossing to allow aid into northern Gaza. He also said he would open the port of Ashdod to direct aid to the enclave and significantly increase supply deliveries from Jordan, “at the request of the president.”
“These steps,” the note reads, “must be implemented fully and quickly.”
There has been no official communication from the Israeli government on this matter. But Israeli media reported that the war cabinet decided on Friday morning local time to approve the measures, which the Haaretz and Times of Israel newspapers said allowed the “temporary” use of the Erez crossing and Ashdod port, which is located about 25 kilometers north of Gaza on Israel’s Mediterranean coast.
Netanyahu has come under increasing pressure in recent days from US officials and aid agencies to open more border crossings for aid, amid United Nations warnings that famine looms after nearly six months of war. But the attack on volunteers who distribute food accelerated criticism and pressure from the United States.
The most severe shortages are in northern Gaza, where desperation has led people to load trucks with aid and where aid groups say they have struggled to deliver supplies due to Israeli restrictions and widespread lawlessness.
The opening of the Erez crossing, if it actually happens, will be very important because almost all the aid granted to Gaza since the beginning of the war has entered through two main crossings: Kerem Shalom and Rafah, both in the south of the strip. But getting trucks in from southern and northern border crossings is difficult and dangerous, and the route is sometimes blocked by roads damaged by Israeli shelling, Israeli checkpoints or clashes between Hamas fighters and Israeli troops.
The White House statement stressed that the measures are a consequence of Biden’s communication with Netanyahu and that it hopes they will be completed soon. “As the President stated during the call, U.S. policy toward Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these and other measures, including measures to protect innocent civilians and the safety of humanitarian workers.” .
He added that they are “ready to work in full coordination with the Government of Israel, the Governments of Jordan and Egypt, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, to ensure that these important measures are implemented and result in a significant increase in assistance humanitarian. “”to reach the neediest civilians across Gaza in the coming days and weeks.”
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.