Leuven: Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed the United States’ appreciation for Israel’s recent initiatives aimed at facilitating more humanitarian aid into Gaza, emphasizing that the efficacy of these efforts would be gauged by their tangible impact on the ground.
“The proof is in the results, and we will see those unfold in the coming days, in the coming weeks,” Blinken remarked during discussions with EU leaders in Belgium, underscoring the need for substantive improvements in the situation.
President Joe Biden’s administration signaled a shift in approach on Thursday, warning that American support for Israel’s actions in Gaza would be contingent on concrete measures to safeguard aid workers and civilians. This stance followed an Israeli attack that claimed the lives of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, marking the first instance of the US leveraging aid to influence Israeli military conduct.
Israel responded by announcing the reopening of the Erez crossing point, which had been closed since its destruction during the October 7 attack that sparked the conflict, along with an increase in aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
However, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees stressed the necessity for Israel to revoke what it deemed a prohibition on accessing northern Gaza with essential food supplies. “The clock is ticking fast towards famine, and UNRWA must be allowed to do its work and reach the north regularly with food and nutrition supplies,” urged Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s communications director.
Blinken affirmed that the US would closely monitor Israel’s actions following Biden’s policy adjustment, focusing on specific metrics such as the volume of aid trucks entering Gaza and the equitable distribution of supplies, particularly in the isolated northern regions.
Of particular concern to the US are the “indicators of potential famine”, which Blinken emphasized must be addressed promptly and decisively. He reiterated the US call for Israel to conduct a thorough investigation into the strike on aid workers, stressing the importance of accountability.
Despite Israel’s assertion that the strike was unintentional, Blinken underscored the necessity for enhanced measures to shield civilians from harm. “We just can’t have so many people caught in the crossfire, killed, injured going forward,” he declared, highlighting the imperative of maximizing efforts to safeguard civilian populations.
