U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said Biden demanded an "immediate ceasefire" and concrete steps from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza.“
President Biden spoke a short while ago with Prime Minister Netanyahu. The leaders discussed the situation in Gaza. The president emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” Blinken said at a news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
“He made clear the need for Israel to announce a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers. He made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel's immediate action on these steps.
“He underscored as well that an immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilize and improve the humanitarian situation and protect innocent civilians. And he urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to empower his negotiators to conclude a deal without delay to bring the hostages home.”
Blinken praised Israel for steps to allow assistance into Gaza, but noted that the “results on the ground are woefully insufficient and unacceptable,” and condemned the Israel Defense Forces strikes that killed seven aid workers with World Central Kitchen.
“100% of the population in Gaza knows acute levels of food insecurity. 100% of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance. And those working heroically to provide that assistance are doing so in great peril to their own lives,” he said. “This week's horrific attack on the World Central Kitchen was not the first such incident; it must be the last.”
