Israel opens Erez Crossing for the first time since October 7

Israel has announced that it will temporarily allow humanitarian aid into Gaza through its border with the northern Strip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the temporary opening on Friday. 

It will be the first time the Erez crossing, leading to the famine-threatened Strip will be open since the October 7 attack.
 
The government statement, which was issued hours after US President Joe Biden warned Netanyahu of the need to alleviate human suffering in Gaza, said that “Israel will allow humanitarian aid to be delivered temporarily through Ashdod and the Erez crossing”. 

They added that the aim is to prevent “a humanitarian crisis and ensuring the continuation of the fighting.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US welcomed Israel's decision but said success would be measured in results in improving the situation on the ground.

"Really the proof is in the results, and we will see those unfold in the coming days, in the coming weeks," Blinken said, speaking alongside EU leaders in Belgium.