Israel’s wartime Cabinet agreed to open an important border crossing in northern Gaza to help struggling Palestinians get more crucial humanitarian aid.
The government will quickly start the process of opening the Erez border crossing in northern Gaza, as stated by Israel’s prime minister’s office and reported by Israeli media channels.
The statement said that providing more aid is essential to prevent a humanitarian crisis and to support the goals of the war.
The Erez checkpoint will become the third access point for aid deliveries in Gaza, alongside the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel and another at the border with Egypt in the city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians are seeking shelter from the war.
According to the statement, the Israeli government will also increase the amount of aid from Jordan through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has stated that the wartime Cabinet did not approve the opening of a new crossing, as shared by Israeli media channels. Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, has opposed sending more aid to Gaza, expressing concerns about the equipment ending up in the hands of Hamas.
The apparent decision to open Erez follows significant pressure on Israel from the U.S. and the international community to increase humanitarian aid to the besieged area.
The United Nations is warning of famine in northern Gaza as Palestinians struggle to access essential items such as food and water during Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
President Biden, who has called for more humanitarian aid to Gaza, spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address his concerns about the conflict, including the need for a cease-fire and a hostage release deal. Hamas is holding about 100 hostages believed to still be alive in Gaza.
Biden has directed the U.S. military to drop aid supplies into Gaza from the air, and the Pentagon is overseeing the construction of a pier off the coast of the area to facilitate more aid.
However, critics argue that this is insufficient and insist that land crossings are irreplaceable, making the new entry point crucial for Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has also faced accusations of delaying aid deliveries into Gaza and turning away trucks, while some Palestinians have accused the military of attacking aid convoys.
Israel received strong criticism this week following a Monday strike that killed seven aid workers. from the charity aid group World Central Kitchen, which has since suspended operations in Gaza. Israel’s wartime Cabinet approved the opening of a key border crossing in northern Gaza as pressure has mounted for the region to get more critical humanitarian aid access to struggling Palestinians. The government will take immediate steps to open the Erez border crossing in northern Gaza, according to a statement from Israel’s prime minister’s office…
