(JNS) A United Nations delegation is set to visit the northern Gaza Strip, after Israel’s War Cabinet on Thursday approved a US demand to survey the situation there in preparation for the return of residents displaced by the war, Ynet reported on Monday.
Three conditions were set for the visit, however: that the UN delegation be accompanied by an American official, that the approval of the tour does not indicate Israel will allow residents to return to the north and that the delegation will visit Israeli communities close to the Gaza border before entering the coastal enclave.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly conveyed Israel’s approval of the tour to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during their meeting in Israel on Jan. 9. However, Netanyahu said at this stage it would not possible for residents to return to northern Gaza.
The top US diplomat then announced this at a press conference concluding his visit.