In a series of phone calls with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted the importance of defending and ensuring the safety of civilian populations in Gaza, according to a statement from the US Department of Defense. The leaders agreed on the need to provide civilian access to humanitarian aid, and Austin condemned the actions of Hamas that hinder the evacuation of innocent civilians from Gaza. During the conversation with the Israeli defense minister, Austin also emphasized the importance of the safety of peaceful residents.
Earlier, CNN reported that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed, resulting in a buildup of humanitarian supplies on the Egyptian side of the border. Both Gaza residents and foreign citizens have been unable to cross the border, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry blamed Israel, stating that there has been no progress in the efforts to open the crossing.
The situation is worsening at a time when Israel appears to be preparing for an inevitable ground invasion.
Hundreds of thousands of Gaza residents have evacuated their homes in the north after Israel warned them to move to the south. However, Israel has closed two border crossings with the Gaza Strip and imposed a “complete blockade” on the territory. As a result, the Rafah checkpoint remains the only possible exit for people to leave the enclave and for goods to be delivered there. Hamas has called on Egypt to open the checkpoint to allow for the delivery of aid and the transportation of the wounded for treatment. Further complicating the situation is the fact that the border authorities have been unable to repair the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes to the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, according to a Palestinian official.
Earlier, Netanyahu stated that Israel is transitioning to a massive attack “unlike any that has occurred before.”
