US hails Israeli decision to reopen Kerem Shalom Crossing for aid delivery into Gaza

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan hails the Israeli decision to reopen its Kerem Shalom Crossing for the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza for the first time since the war’s outbreak.

“Before departing Israel, I was informed by my counterpart, National Security Council chair Tzachi Hanegbi, that the Government of Israel has taken the decision to open its border crossing at Kerem Shalom for direct delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We welcome this significant step,” Sullivan says after wrapping up two days of meetings in Israel and Ramallah.

“President Biden raised this issue in recent phone calls with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and it was an important topic of discussion during my visit to Israel over the past two days,” Sullivan says in a statement.

“The United States remains committed to expanding and sustaining the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”

“We will continue to work closely with Egypt and other partners on the delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance through Rafah crossing, and we hope that this new opening will ease congestion and help facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance to those who need it urgently in Gaza,” he adds.