Ricardo Pires, a spokesman for UNICEF, says his organization urgently needs access to Gaza to facilitate the movement of supplies and relief workers. In response, Israel sealed border crossings with Gaza as it began targeting Hamas positions. Pires says UNICEF currently has amassed supplies in Egypt that are ready for delivery into Gaza once the Rafah crossing – the sole border crossing with Egypt – reopens. Biden told reporters the U.S. plans to coordinate with the Egyptian government to repair the roads into Gaza. “Water supplies are reaching a life-threatening low across Gaza amidst the sustained blockade,” Slater says.

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Persons: Biden, Ricardo Pires, ”, Joe Biden, –, Pires, Egypt –, ” Pires, “ They’re, Meredith Slater, ” Slater, Slater, Elis Organizations: UNICEF, West Bank, The New York Times, Palestinian Ministry of Health, ”, ActionAid USA, ActionAid International, Jewish Federations of America Locations: Gaza, Israel, U.S, Egypt, Rafah