Gaza famine warnings worsen as Erez crossing remains closed to aid

A border crossing from Israel into northern Gaza remains closed a week after Israel promised to open it for deliveries of aid, as a top US official warned that famine has begun.

Israeli Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office said on 5 April that it would temporarily open the Erez crossing for the first time during the war following a tense call with US President Joe Biden, who demanded that Israel do more to facilitate the flow of aid following the killings of seven employees of World Central Kitchen in an air strike.

But nearly a week after the announcement, three senior humanitarians working on the Gaza response told i that the crossing remains closed. An Israeli government source said it was still believed to be closed and would likely be opened next week.