A view of Ashdod port after the Israeli cabinet approved the temporary use of the port for aid deliveries into Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, April 5, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden demanded "specific, concrete" steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying conditions could be placed on US aid if Israel did not respond.

A meeting of Netanyahu’s security cabinet later that day approved immediate steps to increase humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, a statement said. In addition to reopening the Erez crossing point, which has been closed since it was destroyed during the October 7 attack on Israel, the security cabinet also approved increasing Jordanian aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing point, it added.

The move was welcomed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who said the impact of the move would have to be measured in an improved situation on the ground in Gaza, where aid agencies have warned of an increasing risk of famine. It represented a major shift after Israeli officials previously rejected calls for more entry points into Gaza to be opened up.