Israel-Hamas war: Biden, Netanyahu say there will be 'continued flow' of aid into Gaza

The White House on Sunday said that US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke over phone after the second aid convoy of 17 trucks reached Gaza from Egypt and agreed that such assistance will continue to flow into the war-torn territory.

US President Joe Biden spoke with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss developments in Gaza and the surrounding region: White House pic.twitter.com/B3ZBOpGKHU

— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2023

“President Biden today (Sunday) spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israeli to discuss developments in Gaza and in the surrounding region. The President welcomed the first two convoys of humanitarian assistance since Hama’s October 7 terrorist attack, which crossed the border into Gaza and is being distributed to Palestinians in need,” the White House said in a statement.

“The leaders affirmed that there will now be continued flow of this critical assistance into Gaza,” the statement added.

The White House said that President Biden also expressed appreciation for Israel’s support in helping to accommodate the release of two American hostages.

“The leaders discussed the ongoing effort to secure the release of all the remaining hostages taken by Hamas – including US citizens – and to provide for safe passage for US citizens and other civilians in Gaza who wish to depart,” read the statement.

“The President and the Prime Minister agreed to stay in close touch,” it added.

The second aid convoy destined for desperate Palestinian civilians reached Gaza on Sunday, as Israel widened its attacks to include targets in Syria and the occupied West Bank and the Israeli prime minister warned Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group that if it launches its own war, “we will cripple it with a force it cannot even imagine.”

On Saturday, 20 trucks entered Gaza in the first aid shipment into the territory since Israel imposed a complete siege two weeks ago.

Israeli authorities said late Sunday they had allowed a second batch of aid into Gaza at the request of the United States.

COGAT, the Israeli defence body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, said the aid included water, food and medical supplies and that everything was inspected by Israel before it was brought into Gaza.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees confirmed the arrival of 14 trucks.

Israel has not allowed any fuel to enter Gaza.

For days, Israel has been on the verge of launching a ground offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ brutal 7 October rampage through a series of Israeli communities. Tanks and troops have been massed at the Gaza border, waiting for the command to cross.

With inputs from agencies