More than 100 people were killed when Israeli troops opened fire on a crowd because they got too close to a rescue truck.
Washington:
The United States on Thursday demanded answers from Israel and ensured safe delivery of aid, calling the situation “desperate” after dozens of people died in a scramble for food shipments in Gaza.
“We are urgently seeking more information about what exactly happened,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters as he expressed condolences to the victims.
“We have been in contact with the Israeli government since early this morning and understand that the investigation is ongoing. We will be following the investigation closely and pressing for answers,” he said.
He called on Israel to allow “as many entry points as possible and ensure the safe and secure distribution of aid throughout Gaza.”
“We continue to make it clear in all discussions with the Israeli government that all possible measures must be taken to allow more aid to enter Gaza,” he said.
Miller said the rush for aid showed the “extreme hopelessness” of the situation in Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of a risk of famine.
“People are pouring into these trucks because they are hungry, because they need food, because they need medicine and other assistance,” he said.
President Joe Biden’s call for a ceasefire came after he warned earlier in the day that the killings would complicate negotiations.
Biden also spoke with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar on Thursday in hopes of making progress.
“The best way to alleviate the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people is to reach a temporary ceasefire agreement that frees hostages, allows more aid to enter Gaza, and allows aid to be shipped throughout Gaza,” Miller said.
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