Israel to open three aid corridors following phone call between Biden and Netanyahu
Washington — The Israeli government has approved the opening of three humanitarian aid corridors specifically requested by President Biden during a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
Mr. Biden told Prime Minister Netanyahu: 7 aid workers killed in Israeli strike The White House has called the conflict in Gaza “unacceptable” and warned that US policy toward future conflicts depends on Israeli action to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The Erez crossing in northern Gaza, which has not been open since the start of the conflict, will open to traffic. The port of Ashdod will be opened for the transport of humanitarian supplies, and aid trucks from Jordan will be allowed to cross into Israel and enter Gaza via the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
“This increased aid prevents a humanitarian crisis and is necessary to ensure the continuation of the fighting and achieve the objectives of the war,” Israel's cabinet said in a statement.
The two leaders spoke for the first time since Monday's massive strike that killed workers at the charity organization World Central Kitchen, which has been providing food aid in Gaza. One American was among the dead. In a summary of the meeting, the White House said Biden told Netanyahu that “the strikes against humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable.”
Biden said Tuesday he was “furious and heartbroken” for the president. deadly attack, sparking international condemnation. Israeli officials say the attack was unintentional and a mistake.
The White House said the president “made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of concrete and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.” ” he said. “He made clear that US policy regarding Gaza would be determined by the assessment of Israel's immediate action on these measures. To stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians, “I underlined that an immediate ceasefire was essential and called on the Prime Minister to authorize negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home.” ”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby declined to elaborate on what the changes in U.S. policy might be. “If there's no change in their policy or approach, then we're going to have to change our policy,” Kirby said at the White House, noting the call lasted about 30 minutes.
The strike against World Central Kitchen workers is the latest flashpoint in U.S.-Israel relations. The United States has great influence over Israel as a major supplier of weapons and military equipment.
Yasser Kudihe/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty
José Andrés, president of World Central Kitchen, said the nonprofit aid organization had informed the Israel Defense Forces of the workers' movements before Monday's strike.in Reuters interviewHe accused Israel of “deliberately” targeting charity workers.
“This wasn't just an unfortunate situation where, 'Oh, we dropped a bomb in the wrong place,'” Andres told the news agency, adding that his organization's vehicles were clearly marked. insisted. Andres said he believed the vehicles were targeted “systematically, car by car.”
Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat dismissed Mr. Andres' comments as “nonsense” in an interview with CBS News' partner networks. bbc newsHe said it was a “grave mistake” and that Israel “deeply regrets it.”
Kirby told reporters Wednesday that the United States has no plans to conduct an independent investigation into the attack. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president wants a swift and comprehensive investigation, but would leave that up to the Israelis. The Biden administration “will continue to have a very tough dialogue” with the Israeli side, she said.
“We understand Chef Andres' feelings,” Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday. “He just lost a member of his team, who I'm sure felt like family to him.”
Relations between Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have become increasingly strained, with disagreements spilling into public view.Prime Minister Netanyahu recently cancel An Israeli delegation visited Washington after the United States refused to block a UN Security Council vote on October 7 calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Hamas hostages.
Biden said last month that he believes Netanyahu is “hurting Israel more than helping it” by not taking more steps to avoid civilian deaths in Gaza. In response toPrime Minister Netanyahu said Biden was “wrong.”
CBS News' Nancy Cordes contributed to this report.
Summarize this content to 100 words Washington — The Israeli government has approved the opening of three humanitarian aid corridors specifically requested by President Biden during a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.Mr. Biden told Prime Minister Netanyahu: 7 aid workers killed in Israeli strike The White House has called the conflict in Gaza “unacceptable” and warned that US policy toward future conflicts depends on Israeli action to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.The Erez crossing in northern Gaza, which has not been open since the start of the conflict, will open to traffic. The port of Ashdod will be opened for the transport of humanitarian supplies, and aid trucks from Jordan will be allowed to cross into Israel and enter Gaza via the Kerem Shalom border crossing.
“This increased aid prevents a humanitarian crisis and is necessary to ensure the continuation of the fighting and achieve the objectives of the war,” Israel's cabinet said in a statement.The two leaders spoke for the first time since Monday's massive strike that killed workers at the charity organization World Central Kitchen, which has been providing food aid in Gaza. One American was among the dead. In a summary of the meeting, the White House said Biden told Netanyahu that “the strikes against humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable.”
Biden said Tuesday he was “furious and heartbroken” for the president. deadly attack, sparking international condemnation. Israeli officials say the attack was unintentional and a mistake. The White House said the president “made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of concrete and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.” ” he said. “He made clear that US policy regarding Gaza would be determined by the assessment of Israel's immediate action on these measures. To stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians, “I underlined that an immediate ceasefire was essential and called on the Prime Minister to authorize negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home.” ”National Security Council spokesman John Kirby declined to elaborate on what the changes in U.S. policy might be. “If there's no change in their policy or approach, then we're going to have to change our policy,” Kirby said at the White House, noting the call lasted about 30 minutes.The strike against World Central Kitchen workers is the latest flashpoint in U.S.-Israel relations. The United States has great influence over Israel as a major supplier of weapons and military equipment.
A Palestinian stands next to a vehicle in Deir al-Bala, central Gaza Strip, on April 2, 2024. Where a World Central Kitchen employee was killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Yasser Kudihe/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty
José Andrés, president of World Central Kitchen, said the nonprofit aid organization had informed the Israel Defense Forces of the workers' movements before Monday's strike.in Reuters interviewHe accused Israel of “deliberately” targeting charity workers.
“This wasn't just an unfortunate situation where, 'Oh, we dropped a bomb in the wrong place,'” Andres told the news agency, adding that his organization's vehicles were clearly marked. insisted. Andres said he believed the vehicles were targeted “systematically, car by car.”Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat dismissed Mr. Andres' comments as “nonsense” in an interview with CBS News' partner networks. bbc newsHe said it was a “grave mistake” and that Israel “deeply regrets it.”Kirby told reporters Wednesday that the United States has no plans to conduct an independent investigation into the attack. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president wants a swift and comprehensive investigation, but would leave that up to the Israelis. The Biden administration “will continue to have a very tough dialogue” with the Israeli side, she said. “We understand Chef Andres' feelings,” Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday. “He just lost a member of his team, who I'm sure felt like family to him.”Relations between Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have become increasingly strained, with disagreements spilling into public view.Prime Minister Netanyahu recently cancel An Israeli delegation visited Washington after the United States refused to block a UN Security Council vote on October 7 calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Hamas hostages.Biden said last month that he believes Netanyahu is “hurting Israel more than helping it” by not taking more steps to avoid civilian deaths in Gaza. In response toPrime Minister Netanyahu said Biden was “wrong.” CBS News' Nancy Cordes contributed to this report.
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Kathryn Watson
Kathryn Watson is a political reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, DC.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-netanyahu-phone-call-israel-world-central-kitchen-strike-gaza/ Israel to open three aid corridors following phone call between Biden and Netanyahu
