Israel approves crossing opening to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza

Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved the opening of a crossing to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, backtracking from a previous policy of barring all imports into the besieged territory.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the decision to open the Kerem Shalom crossing late on Friday.

Israel shut the crossing, the main entry point for Gaza-bound cargo, immediately after the October 7 Hamas attack that triggered the war.

Leaders have previously said they would not allow any aid directly into Gaza, instead requiring humanitarian supplies to be delivered through a smaller crossing with Egypt.

The United Nations and other aid organisations have said Gaza is facing a dire humanitarian crisis due to a shortage of food, medicine and other key supplies.

Israel said the opening of Kerem Shalom will significantly increase the amount of aid able to enter Gaza each day.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan praised the decision as he ended a lightning trip to the region.

He said US President Joe Biden had brought up opening the crossing in phone conversations with Mr Netanyahu, and that he had raised it in conversations with Israeli officials.

“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,” Mr Sullivan said.

Mr Netanyahu’s office also said the US would finance an upgrade to allow Egypt’s Rafah crossing to allow more aid trucks through.