Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel must cooperate with the United Nations in Gaza to get aid to civilians as Israel enters its fourth month of war with militant group Hamas.
Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC questioned Blinken about the persistent absence of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza. In response, Blinken emphasized the importance of collaboration between Israel and the U.N. to facilitate the delivery of essential aid to Gaza, highlighting the critical situation where 90 percent of the population struggles to afford more than one meal a day.
Blinken emphasized the imperative for Israel to collaborate with the United Nations in ensuring the effective delivery of assistance to Gaza. He acknowledged the U.N.’s pivotal role, praising their efforts in reaching those in need and describing their achievements as extraordinary. Blinken underscored the necessity for cooperation, emphasizing that the U.N. is the sole entity capable of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While acknowledging progress, he acknowledged existing bottlenecks and outlined ongoing efforts to enhance entry points and deconfliction measures, aiming to facilitate the safe movement of aid within Gaza. Israel must cooperate
Blinken is slated to revisit the Middle East this week to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict and explore post-war plans for Gaza. He reiterated the importance of allowing Palestinians to remain in Gaza and has consistently advocated for a two-state solution.