Blinken: More aid getting into Gaza, but IDF ops hampering its distribution

While there has been a jump in the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza in recent weeks, the situation “remains dire” for civilians in the enclave because the distribution of that assistance has been severely hampered due to Israel’s expanded military operations in southern Gaza, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says.

“The humanitarian situation remains dire for people in Gaza. We’ve seen changes, some positive changes, but the net effect is not there,” Blinken says during a news conference in Prague.

He notes Israel’s opening of new crossings in northern Gaza along with the solidification of the route from Jordan, which has been hampered by Israeli extremists trying to loot the trucks.

“If you look at the number of trucks that are actually getting to Gaza and going in, it’s up significantly, but distribution within Gaza is not working effectively, and part of the reason for that are the combat operations in the south,” Blinken laments.

He also highlights the problematic nature of the Rafah Crossing’s continued closure, given that it was once the main artery of aid into Gaza. The US brokered a deal with Egypt and Israel to allow the aid that was piling up on its side of the Rafah Crossing to be funneled into Gaza through Israel’s Kerem Shalom Crossing, but that only partially addresses the problem.

“The focus that we have… is making sure that we’re not just measuring inputs, [but] we’re measuring impact. The impact remains insufficient in terms of addressing the acute needs of children, women and men in Gaza. But it’s a moving story every day as we’re working intensely to make sure that the different access points are working and then distribution within Gaza is working more effectively,” Blinken says.

The secretary dodges a question regarding why the US won’t leverage its military aid to Israel to coax Jerusalem into ensuring that the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves.

Asked about the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s decision to pursue arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Blinken reiterates Washington’s outrage over the move.

“In Israel, you have a vibrant, independent and very active judicial system. In the case of Gaza, there are many incidents that are under investigation, including some under criminal investigation. There’s a case right now before the Israeli Supreme Court about the alleged denial of humanitarian distance for for Gazans.”

“Israel has a democratic system with independent courts and judges as well as a military justice system that effectively investigates any allegations of abuse. That should be allowed to run its course,” Blinken says.