Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed the United States’ appreciation for Israel’s recent initiatives to facilitate more humanitarian aid into Gaza, emphasizing that their tangible impact on the ground would gauge the effectiveness of these efforts.
Speaking alongside EU leaders in Belgium, Blinken underscored the need for concrete results to improve the situation in Gaza, stating, “The proof is in the results, and we will observe these open out in the coming days and weeks.”
Antony Blinken (Credits: CNN)
President Joe Biden’s administration issued a stern warning on Thursday, signaling a potential shift in its approach by conditioning support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza on concrete steps to safeguard aid workers and civilians.
This move followed an Israeli attack that tragically claimed the lives of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, prompting unprecedented action from the Biden administration to influence Israeli military conduct through U.S. aid.
In response to Israel’s actions following President Biden’s directive, Blinken informed journalists that Washington would closely monitor specific metrics, including the volume of aid trucks entering Gaza and the equitable distribution of supplies, particularly in areas like the north that the conflict has severely impacted.
World Central Kitchen (Credits: You’ve Got Maids)
Expressing deep concern over indicators of potential famine, Blinken emphasized the need for immediate remedial actions to reverse these trends. Despite calls for accountability, Blinken reiterated the US’s insistence on a thorough investigation into the strike on aid workers, stressing the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions. Israel has maintained that the strike was unintentional.
Highlighting the staggering toll of civilian casualties in the conflict, Blinken urged Israel to intensify efforts to shield civilians from harm, emphasizing the imperative of minimizing collateral damage and ensuring the safety of innocent lives despite the ongoing hostilities.
As tensions persist and humanitarian concerns mount, the US remains committed to monitoring developments closely and advocating for measures that prioritize the protection and well-being of civilians in Gaza.
