US President Joe Biden held a telephonic conversation with
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with both leaders affirming the need
to ensure the continued flow of humanitarian aid and relief materials into
Gaza.
The White House in a statement said President Biden
called up Netanyahu to discuss developments in Gaza and in the surrounding
region.
“The leaders affirmed that there will now be a
continued flow of this critical assistance into Gaza,” said the White House
statement.
Meanwhile, President Biden welcomed the first two
convoys of humanitarian assistance since Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attack.
According to the statement, the aid has crossed the
border into Gaza and is being distributed to Palestinians in need.
Moreover, Biden expressed appreciation for Israel’s
support in helping to accommodate the release of two American hostages. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed on Saturday
the release of two US citizens, who were being held hostage by Hamas.
The two Americans released were identified as Judith
Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natali Raanan, both from Chicago,
according to CNN.
Their family members said they had been visiting
relatives in Nahal Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, and were
released on “humanitarian grounds” due to the mother’s poor health.
Moreover, the two leaders discussed ongoing efforts to
further secure the release of all the remaining hostages, including US
citizens, taken by Hamas.
They also discussed the way to provide safe passage
for US citizens and other civilians in Gaza who wish to depart, according to
the statement.
“The President and the Prime Minister agreed to stay
in close touch,” the White House statement added.
As Israel continued to pound Hamas in Gaza, at least
14 trucks laden with items for humanitarian relief entered the Strip through
the Rafah crossing on Monday, CNN reported.
These aid trucks were sponsored by the Egyptian Red
Crescent and the United Nations.
An official with the Palestinian Red Crescent Society
in Gaza confirmed to CNN that these trucks have been admitted and are currently
being offloaded to proceed to the Gaza storage facilities of UNRWA, the United
Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.
Earlier on Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony
Blinken emphasised on Friday that facilitating the movement of aid into Gaza
was among his top priorities over the past week. He noted that they worked
diligently with the governments of Israel and Egypt.
ANI
