Egypt’s Sisi agrees to let UN aid through key Gaza crossing: US

AFP | Washington,

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi agreed in a call yesterday with his US counterpart Joe Biden to allow UN aid through the crucial Kerem Shalom crossing to conflict-torn Gaza, the White House said.

“President Biden welcomed the commitment from President al-Sisi to permit the flow of UN-provided humanitarian assistance” through the crossing, it said in a readout of the call.

“This will help save lives.” The crossing has been virtually shut down as Israel pursues its offensive against Hamas, with UN agencies warning of a growing risk of famine in the Palestinian territory.

The US president had agreed to send a “senior team” to Cairo for further discissions, the White House said.

CIA chief Bill Burns was expected to meet Israeli representatives in Paris on Friday or Saturday in a bid to relaunch negotiations, a Western source close to the issue said.