Israel's White House Urges To Reopen Slope Crossing For Humanitarian Aid Delivery

Humanitarian aid for Gaza. (Source: UNICEF/Eyad El Baba)

JAKARTA - The United States government under President Joe Biden has stepped up its request for Israel to reopen the Crossing of the Shalom Brakes, so more aid can be sent to Gaza.

Israel agreed to start inspections of aid trucks at the Kerem Shallom yesterday, but White House National Security Council spokeswoman John Kirby told The Times of Israel the move alone was not enough.

"We've been submitting this request for a long time," Kirby said as quoted December 13, noting US President Joe Biden submitted the request during a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week.

"The answer to the Israeli government is that they can increase Rafah's capacity to get sufficient humanitarian assistance, but (we) have definitely reached the conclusion that this has not happened yet," Kirby continued.

"This is a question we are asking with current urgency and current rates, so we expect a response from the Israeli government in the near future. The Shalom brake must be opened indefinitely, but at least it must be opened as long as there is a need for humanity," he said.

Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu did not rule out the possibility that he would heed US requests, admitting that Israel's international reach for the war against Hamas would be even greater when they allowed more aid to Gaza.

In the early days of the war, Netanyahu took a different approach, stating that aid would not be allowed into Gaza, as long as the hostages were still there.

However, after a two-week siege and increased international pressure, Israel agreed to allow aid through the Rafah crossing in Egypt.

Later, Israel has also allowed the entry of fuel, with PM Netanyahu arguing Israel should stop fighting if the disease begins to spread in the Gaza Strip.

However, the Slom Brakes have remained closed since the outbreak of the war, as Tel Aviv seeks to "put off relations" with Gaza more directly.