US pays close attention to Israel’s aid to Gaza, says ‘results are proof’

Israel’s latest move to provide more humanitarian aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip has won praise from the United States.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that the United States welcomed Israel’s efforts but added that its success would be “measured by results” and depended on improvements in the situation on the ground.

“Really, the proof is in the results, and we’ll see those results unfold in the coming days, the coming weeks,” Blinken said in Belgium.

Notably, U.S. President Joe Biden threatened on Thursday that the United States would impose conditions on its support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza given Israel’s failure to take concrete steps to ensure the safety and protection of aid workers and civilians.

The move comes in a harsh response to an Israeli attack that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers and is the first time the US government has sought to use its aid to regulate the conduct of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Israel has pledged to open the Erez crossing, which has been closed since the October 7, 2023, conflict sparked by Hamas attacks on Israel, and to increase aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has urged Israel to lift a ban on the agency ensuring food supplies in parts of northern Gaza.

“The clock is ticking on the famine and UNRWA must be allowed to carry out its work and deliver regular food and nutrients to the north,” an UNRWA official said.

Asked about Israel’s actions in the wake of Biden’s shift, Blinken told reporters that Washington would “pay close attention” to specific indicators such as the number of trucks entering Gaza and the distribution of supplies within the enclave, particularly in the north. Aid has been largely cut off since the war began.

Blinken said the United States was particularly concerned about “signs of potential famine.”

Echoing U.S. calls for Israel to investigate the aid workers’ strike, Blinken said Washington wanted to hold those responsible for the attack accountable.

Israel, meanwhile, reiterated that the attack was “unintentional.”

Blinken said that “an alarming number” of innocent civilians have been killed in the war and that Israel needs to “do whatever it takes to protect civilians” and ensure that people are protected from attacks.

“We cannot allow so many people to be killed or wounded in the crossfire,” he added.