Israel has taken measures to improve the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza following a letter from top Biden administration officials outlining specific demands for increased assistance to the enclave, State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said.
Miller highlighted several actions taken by Israel, including:
- – Reopening the route from Jordan to deliver aid to northern Gaza.
– Reopening the Erez crossing in the north.
– Approving new warehouses for the UN and other organizations to help “ease logistical burdens” within Gaza.
– Informing the UN and other organizations that Israel will waive “customs declarations” for 12 months.
However, Miller noted that these steps may not yet be sufficient and that Israel’s commitment will be judged by its future actions.
Yesterday, 50 humanitarian trucks entered Gaza from Jordan, Miller said. The Biden administration is pushing for at least 350 trucks to be allowed into Gaza daily, as outlined in the letter sent to Israeli officials.
Paramedics injured in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, Red Cross says
Two paramedics were injured by shrapnel while responding to an earlier Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Red Cross reported on X Wednesday.
The medics had arrived in the town of Jouaiyya, in coordination with UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, to assist following a previous Israeli attack. While they were on the scene, the area was struck again, injuring the paramedics, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. The organization stated that the paramedics were taken to the hospital and that their injuries “are not worrisome.”
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti explained that the peacekeeping force informs the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) of logistical and humanitarian movements within their operational area to reduce risks, but noted, “We do not receive assurances from the IDF regarding the safety of the convoys.” Tenenti did not comment on the specific incident.
