US says Israel must ‘fully and rapidly implement’ steps to increase amount of aid entering Gaza

The US welcomes a series of newly announced Israeli measures aimed at expanding the amount of aid for 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,” White House National Security Council Adrienne Watson says 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 adds.

“We are prepared to work in full coordination with the government of Israel, the Governments of Jordan and Egypt, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations to ensure that these important steps are implemented and result in a significant increase in humanitarian assistance reaching civilians in dire need throughout Gaza over the coming days and weeks.”

The Israeli announcement came hours after an intense call between US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — the first since an IDF strike in central Gaza killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen.