Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Government of Israel Decision to Open Kerem Shalom for Direct Delivery of Humanitarian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2023

Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Government of Israel Decision to Open Kerem Shalom for Direct Delivery of Humanitarian Assistance Before departing Israel, I was informed by my counterpart, Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, that the Government of Israel has taken the decision to open its border crossing at Kerem Shalom for direct delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We welcome this significant step. President Biden raised this issue in recent phone calls with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and it was an important topic of discussion during my visit to Israel over the past two days. The United States remains committed to expanding and sustaining the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. We will continue to work closely with Egypt and other partners on the delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance through Rafah crossing, and we hope that this new opening will ease congestion and help facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance to those who need it urgently in Gaza.