Israel Agrees to Open Erez Crossing Amid Mounting Pressure from White House

Edited by:  TJVNews.com

In a significant development aimed at addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Israel has agreed to open another crossing for aid, as announced by the Biden administration late Thursday. According to a report on Thursday in the New York Times, the move appears to be a response to President Biden’s escalating concerns over the deteriorating conditions in the enclave, following a tense phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The specifics of the agreement, including the opening of the Erez crossing to facilitate aid into northern Gaza and the utilization of the port of Ashdod for aid delivery, mark a crucial step towards appeasing the Biden administration as well as alleviating the crisis of Gazan civilians. Additionally, the NYT report indicated that Israel has committed to significantly increasing aid deliveries from Jordan, reflecting a concerted effort to address President Biden’s pressing humanitarian concerns.

Adrienne Watson, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, emphasized the urgency of fully implementing these measures without delay. The information in the NYT report suggested that the agreement follows mounting pressure from U.S. officials and humanitarian agencies, as well as stark warnings from the United Nations regarding the looming threat of famine in Gaza after nearly six months of conflict.

Reports from Israeli news outlets suggest that the country’s war cabinet approved the measures early Friday morning local time, signaling a decisive response to international calls for action, as per the NYT report. The provisions, described as “temporary,” underscore Israel’s recognition of the immediate need to facilitate aid access to Gaza amid the ongoing crisis.

President Biden has escalated criticism of Israel’s tactics in the ongoing conflict against Hamas in Gaza, emphasizing the need for greater protection of civilians. As was explained in the NYT report, his condemnation intensified following the recent killing of seven aid workers by Israeli forces, prompting Biden to express outrage at what he perceives as insufficient efforts by Israel to safeguard non-combatants.

The tragic incident involving the World Central Kitchen aid workers served as a tipping point, prompting Biden to address these concerns directly in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. The NYT report said that during the conversation, Biden for the first time attempted to use American aid as leverage to influence Israel’s conduct in its campaign against Hamas. This move compelled Israel to commit to allowing more food and supplies to enter Gaza, aiming to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in the region.

The vast majority of aid permitted into Gaza has been funneled through two primary crossing points: Kerem Shalom and Rafah, both situated in the southern part of the enclave. However, the NYT report said that the journey from these southern border crossings to the northern areas of Gaza presents significant difficulties and hazards.

Truck convoys transporting aid face numerous obstacles along the route, including damaged roads caused by Israeli bombardments, checkpoints established by Israeli forces, and skirmishes between Gaza fighters and Israeli troops, according to the NYT report. These impediments not only slow down the delivery process but also jeopardize the safety of aid workers and convoy personnel.

Addressing these challenges,  Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the urgent need for a rapid increase in aid flow through all crossings during a recent call with his Israeli counterpart. This call for enhanced aid access reflects growing international pressure to ensure the timely and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s population.

Late last month, the International Court of Justice in The Hague issued a ruling directing Israel to guarantee the unhindered provision of aid into Gaza, employing some of its strongest language on the matter to date, as was revealed in the NYT report. Despite this directive, Israel has vehemently denied allegations of responsibility for delays in aid delivery, further complicating efforts to address the humanitarian crisis.