Media reports say Israel's war cabinet has approved the temporary opening of the Erez border crossing to allow more humanitarian aid to be brought into the Gaza Strip.

The major Israeli media outlet Haaretz published a report on Friday. It said the government issued a statement saying the "increased assistance will prevent a humanitarian crisis and is essential to ensure the continuation of the fighting and achieve the objectives of the war."

The Erez crossing borders the northern part of the enclave.

Media outlets say this will be the border crossing's first opening since the fighting between Israel's forces and the Islamic group Hamas broke out in October of last year.

Israel reportedly decided to take the emergency step in response to a request from the United States.

On Thursday, US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by telephone about the situation in Gaza.

Biden warned Netanyahu that Washington could review its policies, if it does not see a change in Israel's responses, such as the country's efforts to protect civilians.

Humanitarian supplies have been transported through other crossings, such as the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza. However, people in the north are suffering from a serious food shortage, as not enough aid has arrived, owing to Israel's inspections and other procedures.

Observers are now waiting to see when the Erez crossing will open and whether the opening will actually lead to an improvement in the humanitarian situation in Gaza.