US State Department: Situation in Gaza still dire, Israel needs to do more

The humanitarian circumstances in Gaza are still dire and Israel needs to do more to allow more aid into the strip and coordinate with aid agencies on deconfliction, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel says.

“There has been some measurable progress that we’ve seen when it comes to humanitarian aid getting into Gaza,” Patel tells a press briefing. “But the circumstances within Gaza continue to be dire and more absolutely needs to be done. The crisis that we’re seeing demands rapid expansion of these efforts.”

Israel has faced mounting pressure from the international community, including its closest allies, over the low amount of humanitarian aid being transferred into the Gaza Strip, where the United Nations has warned of looming famine.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.