Further aid points into war-torn Gaza are to be opened following a strongly worded phone call between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu overnight on Thursday, as tensions between the two allies continue to mount.
Israel announced early on Friday that it will allow the "temporary delivery" of aid through the Beit Hanoon (Erez) land crossing for the first time since Hamas fighters broke through on 7 October, and allow deliveries through Ashdod port and more through the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) southern crossing which will include deliveries from neighbouring Jordan.
Some of Israel's closest allies, including the US and the UK, have issued tense rebukes to Tel Aviv this week and are facing mounting calls to halt arms sales to Israel, following the killings of seven aid workers, six of whom were foreign nationals, by an Israeli air strike in Gaza.
Gaza was pummelled by air raids overnight Thursday including shelling in east Rafah, Khan Younis, and Sheikh Zayed City in the north, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. Several civilians were reportedly killed and wounded.
