Blinken: Israeli offers to increase aid to Gaza may not be sufficient

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that Israel’s efforts to increase aid to civilians in Gaza are encouraging but may not be enough to meet expectations.

Blinken said opening more border crossings has the potential to help the civilians stuck in Gaza, but the U.S. also wants to see the Israeli military take tangible steps to protect civilians and aid workers, The Associated Press reported.

Israel announced Thursday that it would approve the opening of a key border crossing in northern Gaza.

The Israeli government said it would take immediate steps to open the Erez border crossing to increase aid and to “prevent a humanitarian crisis and is necessary to ensure the continuation of the fighting and achieve the goals of the war.”

“We welcome the steps that have been announced by Israel,” Blinken said. “These are positive developments, but the real test is results, and that’s what we’re looking to see in the coming days and the coming months.”

Blinken also said the U.S. would like to see a “better system for deconfliction and coordination” so that aid can be safely delivered to and within Gaza, the AP noted.

Blinken added that there needs to be an “independent, thorough and fully publicized investigation” into the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen workers in a series of Israeli airstrikes earlier this week.

Earlier this week, Israel claimed responsibility for airstrikes, which drew international criticism and sparked the Biden administration to demand dramatic changes in the ongoing war.

President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday, the first call since the deadly strikes. One of the workers killed was an American citizen.

Biden reportedly urged Netanyahu toward a cease-fire deal that would release the remaining hostages and said the strike was “unacceptable.” He said future U.S. support for Israel hinges on Israel taking more action to protect workers and civilians.

Hours later, Israel said it was taking steps to increase the flow of humanitarian aid, including opening the border crossing, the AP reported.