U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commenced a series of meetings with Israeli officials on Wednesday to discuss enhancing humanitarian aid to Gaza while urging Hamas to accept a deal for releasing hostages and achieving a ceasefire. After recent visits to Riyadh and Amman, Blinken is now in Israel as part of his broader Middle East tour, marking his seventh visit to the region since the conflict escalated on Oct. 7 with Hamas’ attack on Israel.
Blinken’s primary objective in Israel is to encourage specific actions from the Israeli government to improve the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. During his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv, Blinken emphasized the need to assist the people in Gaza who have been caught in the conflict initiated by Hamas. The discussions also touched upon U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent warning to Israel, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy depending on Israel’s actions regarding civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.
Regarding aid efforts, Blinken mentioned incremental progress in averting a potential famine in northern Gaza. He highlighted upcoming aid shipments through various channels, including shipments from Jordan, goods arriving via the port of Ashdod, and plans for a new maritime corridor.
In summary, Blinken’s visit to Israel focuses on facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza while urging Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal and releasing hostages, with an emphasis on addressing civilian suffering and ensuring aid worker safety.
