Israel has agreed to open another crossing and increase the flow of aid to Gaza, a move that appears aimed at allaying the US president's growing frustration with the dire humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
The Israeli government confirmed the move in an evening statement after the Biden administration announced it late Thursday, hours after a tense phone call between President Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In the call, Biden threatened to condition future aid to Israel on how it addresses concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
A spokesperson for the National Security Council said in a statement that Israel would open the Erez crossing to allow aid to reach northern Gaza, use the port of Ashdod to direct aid to the enclave, and divert shipments from Jordan. He said they had agreed to significantly increase the amount. This is a request from the president. ”
Hamas attacked the Erez crossing, a checkpoint between Israel and northern Gaza, on October 7, but Israel has since refused to reopen the checkpoint. The Israeli statement did not say when the checkpoint would reopen.
Spokesman Adrian Watson said: “These measures must now be implemented fully and swiftly.”
Israeli news outlets reported that the country's war cabinet decided to approve the measure early Friday local time. Israel's Haaretz and Times newspapers said the provision allowed “temporary” use of the Erez crossing and Ashdod port, located on Israel's Mediterranean coast, about 26 miles north of Gaza.
Israel is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials and humanitarian agencies to open more of its borders to aid, following United Nations warnings that famine is looming after nearly six months of war.
Biden has stepped up his criticism of Israel's stance on the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, saying more steps need to be taken to protect civilians. Biden called the killing of seven aid workers by Israeli forces this week “outraging” and said Israel was “not doing enough to protect civilians.” It seems so.
That frustration carried over into Thursday's phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which Biden for the first time sought to use U.S. aid to influence the fight against Hamas, forcing Israel to bring food and supplies to Gaza. He urged them to promise to increase the amount.
“As the President said on today's call, U.S. policy on Gaza requires immediate Israeli action on these and other measures, including measures to protect the safety of innocent civilians and aid workers. “This will be determined by the assessment of the In her statement.
The worst shortages are in northern Gaza, where aid groups say desperate people are flocking to aid trucks and struggling to get supplies due to Israeli restrictions and widespread illegal activity. .
Since the war began, nearly all aid allowed into Gaza has flowed through two major transit points: Kerem Shalom and Rafah in the southern part of the enclave. But moving the convoy of trucks north from the southern border crossing is difficult and dangerous, and the route has been damaged by Israeli shelling, Israeli checkpoints, and fighting between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces. May be blocked by roads.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, in a phone call with his Israeli counterpart on Wednesday, also “expressed the need to rapidly increase aid provided across all borders in the coming days,” according to the Pentagon. .
Late last month, the International Court of Justice in The Hague ordered Israel to ensure the “unimpeded provision of assistance” to Gaza, using its strongest language yet. Israel rejects accusations that it is responsible for delays in delivering aid.
Patrick Kingsley Contributed to the report.