Israel has announced plans to boost the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip by reopening a key border crossing into northern Gaza. This decision comes after President Joe Biden urged Israel to take more action to protect civilians and aid workers to secure future U.S. support for the war in Gaza.
The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 33,000, with another 75,600 individuals wounded, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The United Nations has warned of a looming humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza, with a significant portion of the population on the brink of starvation.
Israel's Security Cabinet has approved measures to enhance aid delivery, including reopening the Erez crossing and allowing its port in Ashdod to process aid shipments bound for Gaza. The U.N. Security Council is set to convene an emergency meeting to address attacks on humanitarian workers in Gaza and the risk of famine in the region.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of State has welcomed Israel's efforts to expand aid into Gaza but emphasized the need for tangible improvements in humanitarian conditions. The U.S. military remains committed to constructing a pier off the Gaza coast to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries, despite recent setbacks.
As tensions persist in the region, thousands of Iranians mourned Revolutionary Guard members killed in an airstrike at Iran's consulate in Syria, with anti-Israel sentiments running high during the funeral ceremony.
In Jerusalem, Israeli police detained eight Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa compound for allegedly chanting inflammatory slogans, marking the first clash between worshippers and Israeli forces during Ramadan.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with ongoing efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and ensure the safety of aid workers amidst escalating tensions in the region.
