Palestine appeals for pressure on Israel to reopen Gaza borders amid airstrikes

By Awad al-Rujoub

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Palestine on Saturday appealed for international pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza amid Israeli airstrikes on the territory.

In a statement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry called for a “firm stance” to force Israel to reopen Gaza crossings to allow the entry of medical supplies, food, and fuel into the strip.

Hussein Al-Sheikh, the secretary of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s Executive Committee, urged the US and the international community “to intervene to stop the Israeli aggression" against the Palestinians and open its crossings with Gaza.

"We call on international and humanitarian institutions to intervene quickly to open the crossings with the Gaza Strip and transfer the injured for treatment," he added on Twitter.

Israel has closed its crossings with Gaza, including the Erez and Kerem Shalom terminals, since it began its air offensive on the strip on Tuesday.

At least 33 Palestinians have been killed and dozens injured in the attacks, which Israel says were in response to rocket fire from Gaza. Palestinian factions retaliated with firing barrages of rockets into Israeli territories.

Regional and international powers have called for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian factions, but no breakthrough has been made yet.

According to Palestinian figures, more than 160 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of this year. At least 20 Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara.