Activists have been marching outside the US Capitol today as they take part in a protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
It comes after Joe Biden, who defended Israel during his flying visit to Tel Aviv, became a target of angry protests in support of Palestinians around the Middle East.
Mr Biden’s visit today came a day after a blast reportedly killed hundreds at a Gaza hospital. Hamas said it was struck by Israel while Tel Aviv blamed a rocket misfired by other Palestinian militants.
Biden: Egypt’s president agrees to open border for Gaza aid
Joe Biden says Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah el Sisi has agreed to open the Rafah border crossing to allow roughly 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
He praised Mr Sisi for the decision, saying “Sisi deserves some real credit because he was accommodating”.
If Hamas confiscates aid, “it will end”, he said. White House officials said the aid would flow as early as Friday, once the roads are patched.
Humanitarian workers in Gaza have been repeatedly warning of a crisis in the region, with food, water and energy supplies running low.
Earlier, Israel said it would not block water, food and medicine entering Gaza from Egypt in response to a demand from the US president.
The White House said Mr Biden and Mr Sisi have “agreed to work together closely” on “an urgent and robust international response” to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
It said in a statement that the two leaders had also agreed on the need to preserve stability in the Middle East and prevent the conflict from escalating.
The Egyptian presidency said the two leaders had discussed ways to speed up the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza during a phone call.
Meanwhile, Mr Biden is to make an address on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Ukraine war on Thursday.
Leave a Reply