Demand of the USA

Israel opens new border crossing in Gaza Strip

Aid delivery for the Gaza Strip (archive image)(Bild: AFP)

The Israeli government will open a new border crossing into the northern part of the Gaza Strip this week. This was announced by the White House. Currently 200 trucks cross the border every day, but 500 are needed.

This is based on a UN estimate. According to the White House, US President Joe Biden had called for a new border crossing into the Gaza Strip in a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In addition, the US administration said it was not particularly confident that Israel would soon reach an agreement with the Islamist Hamas on a ceasefire. "(...) I would say that we are very pragmatic about this," said John Kirby of the National Security Council. There is a "really good proposal" on the table and Hamas should accept it (see video above).

Aid delivery for the Gaza Strip (archive photo)(Bild: AFP)

Debate about six-week ceasefire
This is a six-week ceasefire and the Israelis had negotiated "in good faith". "Time is of the essence, but I cannot set a deadline here," said Kirby. "Hopes rise and fall, and (...) we will just keep at it and see if we can make it work."

Indirect negotiations are currently underway in Cairo on a new deal for a ceasefire in the war and the release of more hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners.