Israel has announced its decision to reopen the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing with northern Gaza to facilitate aid, just hours after United States President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of safeguarding civilians and humanitarian workers in the region following Israeli military actions against a food charity’s team.
Over the past six months, Israeli military operations and the siege on Gaza have resulted in the loss of over 33,000 lives, raising urgent alarms of an impending famine and exacerbating displacement and hunger crises.
In response to mounting pressure and calls for action, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel will “temporarily” open the Ashdod port to receive humanitarian aid packages. These packages will then be transported to the Erez crossing, marking its first opening since the conflict began in October. Additionally, Israel pledged to increase aid from neighboring Jordan, funneling it through the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing in southern Gaza.
Israel asserts that this move to open crossings and enhance aid flow aims to prevent a humanitarian crisis and is crucial for both sustaining the ongoing conflict and achieving its war objectives.
Following a tense exchange between Biden and Netanyahu, the White House emphasized the need for an “immediate ceasefire” and hinted at a reevaluation of Washington’s unwavering support for Israel if aid efforts aren’t bolstered.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking alongside EU leaders in Belgium, suggested that tangible outcomes will unfold in the coming days and weeks, signaling a departure from Biden’s immediate action demand.
Al Jazeera’s reporting from occupied East Jerusalem highlights the significance of US influence over Israel, while underscoring Israel’s portrayal of aid initiatives as integral to its military strategy.
International condemnation intensified after seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen (WCK) were killed in what the charity deemed deliberate airstrikes. Investigations corroborated the intentional nature of the attacks.
The United Nations reports that Israeli bombardment has displaced approximately 1.7 million people in Gaza over the past six months, with children in the region succumbing to starvation, as documented by the World Health Organization.
Saul Takahashi, a human rights and peace studies professor at Osaka Jogakuin University in Japan, dismisses Biden’s purported toughness on Netanyahu as mere political theater. Takahashi stresses the urgency of halting arms supplies to Israel and calls for Western nations to impose sanctions.
While advocating for a ceasefire and expressing concerns over civilian casualties, the US continues to provide military aid to Israel. Pressure is mounting on British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to cease weapon sales to Israel following the attack on the WCK convoy.