TEL AVIV: Israel has allowed temporary deliveries of humanitarian aid through its border with the north of Gaza Strip.
According to a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Friday, Erez crossing would be opened into the famine-hit territory for the first time since the war between Israel and Hamas started on October 7.
It said Israel will allow the temporary delivery of humanitarian assistance via Ashdod and the Erez checkpoints. The statement comes after a warning from US President Joe Biden to Israel regarding its policy toward war in Gaza.
The statement added that the increased aid will stop humanitarian crisis and is inevitable to achieve the goals of the war.
The announcement comes as global pressure increases on Israel after it took responsibility for a strike that killed seven aid workers from different nations.
In a tense, 30-minute call with Netanyahu on Thursday, Biden said that US policy to Gaza will be determined on concrete, specific and measurable steps to address civilian harm in the area and the safety of aid workers.
According to the statement by Israel in addition to permitting aid through the Erez border crossing and the port of Ashdod, the authorities will also allow enhanced Jordanian aid through Kerem Shalom border crossing in south of Israel.
The Gaza health ministry reported staggering casualties, with over 33,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, killed and more than 75,000 injured since the launch of Israel’s military offensive on October 7.
