Calls for Humanitarian Aid and Ceasefire in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

The U.S. pushes for extended ceasefires in Gaza to facilitate humanitarian aid, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggests that Israel's objectives have been met and calls for an end to the war. Despite U.S. claims, aid groups report access challenges, raising concerns of an impending famine.

The United States is advocating for extended pauses in the conflict in Gaza to allow crucial humanitarian aid to reach those in need, said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday. He emphasized that ending the war would be the most effective way to help people.

Speaking in Brussels, Blinken remarked, "Israel, by the standards it set itself, has accomplished the goals that it set for itself. This should be a time to end the war." Following the expiration of a U.S. deadline for Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Washington stated that Israel was not obstructing aid and therefore complying with U.S. law.

However, eight international aid organizations have criticized Israel for not meeting U.S. demands to improve assistance access. Concerns about an impending famine are mounting, with food security experts warning of severe shortages in parts of Gaza. Following the October 2023 attack by Hamas-led forces which killed 1,200 Israelis, the conflict has claimed over 43,500 Palestinian lives and displaced 2 million people.

(With inputs from agencies.)