U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has disclosed that Washington is making efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
“It is imperative that we expand the flow of aid into Gaza to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation,” Blinken posted on X.
He asserted that Gazans urgently need more food, water, and other assistance.
“That’s why the U.S is working to get more aid in through every available channel, including air drops,” he added.
Blinken’s social media post follows U.S Vice President, Kamala Harris rare rebuke of Israel in which she called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.
She voiced that given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks, “which is what is currently on the table.”
This, she said, “will get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in.”
In addition to calling for an “immediate ceasefire,” Harris called out Israel for not doing enough to ease the “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.
“People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act,” Harris said.
“The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses,” she averred.
She laid out specific ways Israel can allow more aid into Gaza.
“They must open new border crossings. They must not impose any unnecessary restrictions on the delivery of aid. They must ensure humanitarian personnel, sites and convoys are not targeted, and they must work to restore basic services and promote order in Gaza, so more food, water and fuel can reach those in need.”
Kamala Harris
Harris also addressed the incident during which more than 100 Palestinians were killed as they tried to access food aid in Gaza City, saying that “too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.”
“Our hearts break for the victims of that horrific tragedy,” she said.
Harris also challenged Hamas to accept the terms of a ceasefire deal that US officials say has been broadly accepted by Israel.
“Hamas needs to agree to that deal,” she stressed.
“Let’s get a ceasefire. Let’s reunite the hostages with their families. And let’s provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza,” she urged.
Harris’ comments came as U.S President, Joe Biden is facing mounting pressure from left-leaning voters over his support for Israel ahead of November’s presidential election.
Time To Destroy Hamas
Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir gave a seeming response to the U.S Vice President after her speech.
“It’s time to destroy Hamas, Kamala,” Ben-Gvir posted on X on Monday, March 4, 2024, ahead of a scheduled meeting between the U.S Vice President and Israeli war cabinet Minister, Benny Gantz.
Meanwhile, Ben-Gvir was labelled a threat to national security following reports alleging that he leaked sensitive information.
“You cannot trust him with sensitive material, you cannot trust him around intelligence personnel and you cannot trust him in the defence cabinet,” Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid posted on X.
He added, “Any normal Prime Minister would have fired him this morning.”
Ben-Gvir responded, “Yair, there is no question here as to whether you are a liar or an ignoramus. You’re just both.”
Israel has been running a brutal military campaign since October 7, when the Palestinian Hamas group carried out a deadly attack inside Israel.
Israel has refused to halt fighting, saying that it wants total defeat of Hamas.
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