US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday that more than $400 million in new humanitarian aid would be provided to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. He urged the terrorist organization Hamas to accept the ceasefire agreement, citing it as the most effective way to address the humanitarian crisis in the region. Blinken made these remarks at a conference on emergency humanitarian assistance in Jordan, where he also called on other countries to contribute additional funds to aid those affected and displaced by the conflict.
Describing the crisis in Gaza as immense, Blinken highlighted the pressing need for support. He noted that only a third of the budget for the UN Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees had been funded, with a deficit of approximately 2-3 billion dollars. Blinken criticized certain countries, including wealthy ones, for providing little or no assistance to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.
The US Secretary of State outlined that the $404 million in aid would go towards providing essential resources to Gaza residents, including food, water, healthcare, education, psychosocial support, and protection. While acknowledging steps taken by Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid, Blinken stressed that more action was necessary. He called on Israel to expedite truck screening processes, expand the list of permitted goods, increase visas for aid workers, and establish clearer channels for humanitarian organizations.
Blinken underscored the importance of reducing civilian casualties and urged Israel to take further measures in this regard. Despite Israel facing aggression from Hamas, Blinken emphasized the need for Israel to prioritize civilian safety. He pointed out that Hamas was obstructing efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement and emphasized the importance of pressuring the organization to engage in negotiations for the well-being of Gaza residents.