New Delhi: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has agreed to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza via the Karem Shalom crossing on a provisional basis, the Biden administration said in a statement on Friday.
The announcement was made after a phone call between Biden and Sisi, during which the two discussed the ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“This will help save lives,” the statement said.
Biden also expressed his full commitment to support efforts to reopen the Rafah crossing with arrangements acceptable to both Egypt and Israel and agreed to send a senior team to Cairo next week for further discussions, it added.
“The President Biden thanked President Al-Sisi once again for his efforts from the beginning of the crisis to ensure the continuous flow of assistance from Egypt into Gaza,” said the statement.
The two leaders also discussed new initiatives to secure the release of hostages together with an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza. “President Biden and President Al-Sisi affirmed their commitment to work together to set the conditions for a durable and sustainable peace in the Middle East region,” the statement added.