Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that Israel needs to do more to increase humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza as he begins his seventh trip to the region since the onset of the war.
Blinken said while speaking to Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that the best way to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza is to secure a cease-fire agreement to release the hostages being held by Hamas. He added that until that agreement is reached, humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip must be improved.
“The most effective way to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to alleviate the suffering of children, women and men, and to create space for a more just and durable solution is to get a cease-fire and the hostages out,” Blinken said.
The United States has urged Israel to help increase humanitarian aid to Gaza as Israel fights Hamas. Blinken on Monday noted that while humanitarian aid conditions have improved, more still needs to be done.
“We have seen measurable progress in the last few weeks, including the opening of new crossings and increased volume of aid delivery to Gaza and within Gaza, and the building of the U.S. maritime corridor, which will open in the coming weeks. But it is not enough. We still need to get more aid in and around Gaza,” he said.
Blinken’s comments come as he starts another trip to the Middle East this week. He will travel to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel from Monday through Wednesday to discuss efforts to achieve a temporary cease-fire and humanitarian aid, the State Department said.
President Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday about the expected ground invasion of Rafah, a potential cease-fire agreement and the humanitarian situation in the region. Biden spoke about the expansion of humanitarian aid and “stressed the need for this progress to be sustained and enhanced in full coordination with humanitarian organizations,” according to the White House.
He also “reiterated his clear position” on a looming ground invasion of Rafah, where many Palestinians had fled to seek refuge from the war. The Biden administration has warned against an invasion of Rafah without a plan and protections for civilians.
The Associated Press contributed.