Israel’s wartime cabinet has approved the opening of a key border crossing in northern Gaza, as pressure mounts on the Gaza Strip to access more vital humanitarian aid to beleaguered Palestinians.
According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office shared by Israeli media channels, the government will take immediate steps to open the Erez border crossing in northern Gaza.
“This expansion of assistance prevents a humanitarian crisis and is necessary to ensure the continuation of the fighting and achieve the objectives of the war,” the statement said.
The Eres checkpoint is the second open-access checkpoint to deliver aid in the Gaza Strip, following the Kerem Shalom checkpoint in southern Israel and the checkpoint in Rafah city on the Egyptian border, where more than 1 million Palestinians have fled the war. This is the third location.
According to the statement, the Israeli government will also increase the amount of “aid to Jordan through Kerem Shalom.”
Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir claimed that the wartime cabinet had not approved the opening of the new crossing, according to a statement shared by Israeli media channels. Far-right politician Ben Gvir opposes further aid to Gaza, raising concerns that the equipment could end up in the hands of Hamas.
On Thursday, White House National Security Council Press Secretary Adrian Watson welcomed the Israeli government’s action, saying it “must be fully and quickly implemented now.”
“As the President said in today’s telephone conversation, U.S. policy on Gaza is determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these and other measures, including measures to protect the safety of innocent civilians and aid workers.” The White House said: In a press release.
“We are fully committed to working with the governments of Israel, Jordan, Egypt, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to ensure the implementation of these important measures, resulting in a significant increase in humanitarian aid reaching civilians. We are ready to work together.” There are dire needs across Gaza in the coming days and weeks. ”
The apparent move to open Erez comes after significant pressure on Israel from the United States and the international community to increase humanitarian aid to the besieged area.
The United Nations has warned of famine in northern Gaza as Palestinians struggle to access basic needs such as food and water amid Israel’s war with Hamas.
President Biden, who has called for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to discuss concerns about the war, including the need for a ceasefire and a hostage release deal. Hamas is holding about 100 hostages believed to be still alive in Gaza.
Mr. Biden has ordered the U.S. military to airlift aid to the Gaza Strip, and the Pentagon is also overseeing efforts to build a pier off the coast of Gaza to facilitate the expansion of aid.
But critics say that is not enough, and that there is no alternative to land crossings, making new entry points crucial for Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has also been accused of slowing aid deliveries to Gaza or turning back trucks, and some Palestinians have also accused the military of attacking aid trucks.
Israel came under heavy criticism this week after seven aid workers from the charity World Central Kitchen were killed in a strike on Monday and it subsequently suspended operations in Gaza.
Updated at 8:38 p.m.
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