After Netanyahu’s call with Biden, ministers okay steps to swiftly ramp up aid flow to Gaza

In the wake of the deadly strike on the World Central Kitchen convoy and US President Joe Biden’s tense conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s security cabinet decided to take immediate steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the Prime Minister’s Office announced early Friday. Israel will temporarily open up Ashdod Port for humanitarian deliveries and will open Erez Crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the first time since it was significantly damaged, and many Israelis were killed and abducted there, during the Hamas-led October 7 terror onslaught that sparked the ongoing war. Israel will also increase the amount of aid from Jordan moving through the Kerem Shalom crossing. “The increased aid will prevent a humanitarian crisis,” said the PMO, “and is critical for ensuring the continuation of the fighting and achieving the war aims.” The moves were welcomed by the White House, which called for Israel to immediately implement them. Israel has insisted that it will only move forward with the Rafah operation once it has cleared civilians from the southern Gaza city.