From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 18, 2024
US says Netanyahu promised Biden to get more aid into Gaza
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated during his call earlier today with US President Joe Biden that he would push his government to ensure that more aid enters Gaza, according to US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who clarifies that Washington is more interested in seeing results, as compared to statements.
He acknowledges during a press briefing that Israel has taken several steps in recent days to facilitate the entry of more aid into Gaza, including opening a new gate to allow trucks to directly enter northern Gaza from Israel, allowing additional convoys to reach northern Gaza from the southern Strip and expanding the number of trucks entering the enclave from the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.
However, he notes that the amount of aid has dipped in the past, after initial bursts of improvement, partially due to the breakdown of law and order, or Israeli restrictions that prevent the proper distribution of assistance throughout the Strip once it enters Gaza.
Sullivan says the US will keep working to “flood” the Strip with aid by land, air and sea, adding that Israel is primarily responsible for facilitating the assistance followed by the international community.
He brands as “alarming” a UN-backed report warning earlier today that Gaza faces impending famine if steps are not taken to address the crisis.
The Times of Israel Community.