US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar during a meeting in Malta that “Israel must do more to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.”
However, Blinken has repeatedly stated that Israel is not blocking aid to Gaza. U.S. law prohibits providing military assistance to countries that restrict U.S.-supported humanitarian aid.
According to a Brown University study, the United States paid Israel $17.9 billion in security aid during the first year of the war on Gaza.
“The Secretary of State stressed the urgency of returning all hostages home, ending the war in Gaza and paving the way for a post-conflict period that ensures lasting peace and security for Israelis and the Palestinians,” the US State Department said in a statement following the meeting.
He added that Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security.
“The Secretary of State and the Israeli Foreign Minister also discussed the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and the importance of ensuring that the agreement is fully implemented.
– Advertisement-
Belgium
