Blinken vows to push Netanyahu on Gaza aid measures | Global News

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel to discuss measures needed to increase aid flow into Gaza. Blinken emphasized the importance of ensuring assistance reaches people in a sustained manner during his visit to a warehouse where aid shipments are gathered.

Blinken’s visit comes after President Joe Biden issued a warning to Netanyahu, stating that Washington’s policy could shift if Israel fails to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and aid worker safety. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has prompted calls from Israel’s Western and Arab partners to facilitate aid entry as the region faces widespread famine, disease, and ruined infrastructure.

As part of his regional tour, Blinken is on his seventh visit to the Middle East since the conflict began on Oct. 7. The violence escalated when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, leading to casualties on both sides. Israel’s response has been described as a relentless assault, resulting in a high number of Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction in Gaza.

Blinken highlighted the need for an effective deconfliction mechanism and a clear list of items required in Gaza to avoid delays in aid delivery. While some progress has been made with aid shipments arriving through various channels, more efforts are needed to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with over a million people facing famine according to the United Nations. Blinken’s discussions with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials will focus on finding solutions to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need in Gaza.