Israel has agreed to a temporary ceasefire in southern Gaza this morning, starting at 09:00 local time, to allow the opening of the Rafah border crossing, Reuters reports.
The agency reports, citing two Egyptian security officials, that the agreement was reached between the US, Egypt and Israel.
The Rafah border crossing that connects the Gaza Strip with Egypt is expected to open for a short time to allow foreign nationals to leave the territory and allow aid to enter the Gaza Strip. The aid is being transferred into the Strip under Egyptian supervision, which the United States demanded.
The aid includes mostly water and medicine. Fuel, however, will not be given to Gaza, since Israel claims Hamas is using the remaining fuel supply – both from hospitals and from civilians – to operate generators in its tunnels, and not for humanitarian purposes.
Israel’s defense establishment says that Israel has been acting under international law in order to preserve international legitimacy and continue with the military operation in Gaza.
Blinken last visited Israel on Thursday, following Hamas’ deadly attack last weekend.
