Israel agrees to reopen Erez crossing hours after 'stern' Biden-Netanyahu chat

For the first time after the violent October 7 attacks, the security cabinet of Israel agreed to reopen the Erez crossing between the country and northern Gaza.

Israeli officials have agreed to open the crossing to ensure that more humanitarian aid is entering Gaza. The approval for using the Israeli Port of Ashdod was also given by the cabinet to help transfer more aid to Gaza.

“Israel will allow the temporary delivery of humanitarian aid through Ashdod and the Erez checkpoint” to “prevent a humanitarian crisis and... ensure the continuation of the fighting”, as per a government statement.

The statement, which was issued after midnight, further read, "This increased assistance will prevent a humanitarian crisis and is essential to ensure the continuation of the fighting and achieve the objectives of the war. In light of this, Israel will allow the temporary provision of humanitarian aid through Ashdod and Erez Crossing and increase Jordanian aid through Kerem Shalom."

This unprecedented step was taken by Israel hours after United States President Joe Biden's 30-minute conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of the killing of the World Central Kitchen's seven aid workers in Gaza which has led to an international fury over Israel's actions.

The opening of three aid corridors was requested by President Biden in the conversation and approved by the Israeli government, CBS News reported earlier.

US warns Israel to take 'concrete steps' to protect civilians

United States President Joe Biden, in a stark statement, warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (April 4) that Gaza's overall humanitarian situation is unacceptable and asked Tel Aviv to immediately take steps to address the issue or face consequences.

This was the first conversation between the two leaders since seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza.

“President Biden emphasised that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” said the White House, in a statement after the call ended.

“He made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps," the statement added.

Biden further added that Israel needed to “announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking after the call in Brussels, cleared the stance of the United States.“If we don’t see the changes that we need to see, there’ll be changes in our own policy,” Blinken said.

White House National Security Council spokesman John, however, clarified that the US support for "Israel's self-defence remains iron-clad. The United States isn't going to walk away from helping Israel defend itself. That said, you can say all that and... still believe that the manner in which they're defending themselves against the Hamas threat needs to change."

US welcomes newly announced Israeli measures

The United States welcomed the newly announced Israeli measures to increase entry of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

“These steps, including a commitment to open the Ashdod port for the direct delivery of assistance into Gaza, to open the Erez Crossing for a new route for assistance to reach north Gaza, and to significantly increase deliveries from Jordan directly into Gaza, must now be fully and rapidly implemented,” said White House National Security Council Adrienne Watson, in a statement.

“As the president said today on the call, US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these and other steps, including steps to protect innocent civilians and the safety of aid workers,” she added.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)