Washington: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken expressed concern on Thursday about Israel's responsibilities regarding the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Blinken emphasized the need for effective distribution of aid within Gaza, stating that while progress has been made, it remains insufficient. He highlighted the importance of ensuring that aid reaches those in need, particularly in the context of recent successful initiatives such as the polio vaccination campaign for Palestinian children in Gaza. According to Kuwait News Agency, Blinken's remarks were made during a joint press conference with US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin, South Korea's Foreign Affairs Minister Cho Tae-Yul, and Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun at the State Department in Washington. Blinken stressed the urgency of completing a second round of vaccinations, which must occur within a specific timeframe following the first round, and called on Israel to facilitate this process. He reiterated that Israel's strategic objec tives in Gaza, including the dismantlement of Hamas's military capacity and the elimination of certain leaders, have been achieved. The current focus, he asserted, should be on ending the conflict and ensuring the delivery of essential humanitarian aid. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin also addressed the issue, mentioning his conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Austin underscored the importance of protecting civilians and providing humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza. He acknowledged recent progress but emphasized the need for further action and reiterated the United States' commitment to advocating for increased efforts in this regard.
