From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Biden calls Sissi on way home from Israel to discuss Gaza humanitarian aid
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US President Joe Biden calls Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi from Air Force One on the way home from Israel, in order to discuss efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Israel has given an initial okay to allow aid to come into Gaza from the Sinai Peninsula, but Egypt’s crossing into Gaza remains closed due to repeated IDF bombings in the area.
“The two leaders agreed to work together closely on encouraging an urgent and robust international response to the UN’s humanitarian appeal,” a White House readout says.
“They agreed on the need to preserve stability in the Middle East, prevent escalation of the conflict, and set the circumstances for a durable, permanent peace in the region,” the readout continues.
The Times of Israel Community.