“This increased aid will prevent a humanitarian crisis and is necessary to ensure the continuation of the fighting and to achieve the goals of the war,” a spokesman for the Israeli government says.
Israel has announced it is opening new routes for humanitarian deliveries into Gaza after a warning from US President Joe Biden that it must protect civilians.
The Erez Crossing into northern parts of the Gaza Strip will be opened for the first time since the Hamas attacks of October 7 – and aid will temporarily be allowed to flow through the Port of Ashdod.
Israeli officials have also said they are planning to increase the amount of aid from Jordan moving through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
“This increased aid will prevent a humanitarian crisis and is necessary to ensure the continuation of the fighting and to achieve the goals of the war,” a spokesman for the Israeli government said.
During a call on Thursday, Mr Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately let more trucks carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The president said future US support for Israel’s Gaza war depends on the swift implementation of new steps to protect civilians and aid workers.
“He 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,” the White House said in a statement following the leaders’ call.
“He made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps.”
Sky’s US correspondent Mark Stone said allowing aid through the Port of Ashdod will be “a game-changing moment”.
“Remember the Americans had been forced to announce the construction of a temporary port off the Gaza shoreline to receive aid. Now, it can come from Cyprus into a fully functioning port,” he said.
He also said opening the Erez Crossing will be another significant moment, adding: “Aid arriving in Ashdod can then be driven the 20 miles south to Erez and across into the strip.”
Source : https://news.sky.com/story/israel-to-open-three-routes-for-humanitarian-aid-into-gaza-13108110