Israel says it has approved the opening of two humanitarian routes into Gaza, to allow more aid into the territory.
The Erez Gate in northern Gaza will be temporarily re-opened for the first time since the start of the war and Ashdod Port will also be opened for humanitarian deliveries.
More aid from Jordan will be allowed to enter via the Kerem Shalom Crossing.
It comes hours after Joe Biden spoke with Israel's PM for the first time since seven aid workers were killed.
According to a readout of a phone call between the US president and Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Biden warned that Israel must take steps to prevent civilian harm and humanitarian suffering if it wanted to maintain US support.
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Israel’s security cabinet issued a temporary permission for humanitarian deliveries to the Gaza Strip via the port of Ashdod and the Erez crossing in the north of the Palestinian enclave, the Kan radio reported.
ReplyDeleteThe cabinet, which brings together heads of Israel’s key ministries, also decided to allow more Jordanian aid deliveries into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing in the southeastern part of the Palestinian enclave.
US President Joe Biden held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 4. According to Kan, the conversation was tense, and the White House’s message, delivered during the 50-minute conversation was extremely tough. White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told reporters later in the day that Biden gave Netanyahu to understand that if the situation in the Gaza Strip remains unchanged, Washington will have to review its Middle Eastern policies.
According to a White House statement, the US leader "made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers." He also made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by Washington’s assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps.