Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it will allow “temporary” aid deliveries via the border with the northern Gaza Strip.
“Israel will allow the temporary delivery of humanitarian aid through Ashdod and the Erez checkpoint,” the statement from Netanyahu’s office said, referring to a port about 40km (25 miles) north of Gaza and the Beit Hanoon land crossing.
“This increased aid will prevent a humanitarian crisis and is necessary to ensure the continuation of the fighting and to achieve the goals of the war,” it added, Al Jazeera reported.
US President Joe Biden has told the Israeli PM to “empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay”.
Hamas official Osama Hamadan earlier told a news briefing that negotiations were “stuck in a vicious circle” with Israel refusing requests to withdraw troops, allow aid, and for Palestinians to return to the northern Gaza Strip.
At least 101 Palestinians have been returned to the Gaza Strip from Israeli prisons, with some having suffered fractures and other injuries, according to a medical source.
At least 33,037 Palestinians have been killed and 75,668 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7.