Blinken admits humanitarian situation in Gaza dire

ATHENS (AA) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday admitted that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, saying Washington is working to allow more aid into the Palestinian enclave.

Speaking at a press conference in Prague following an informal meeting of the NATO foreign ministers, Blinken said, “We’ve seen changes, some positive changes, but the net effect is not there.

“If you look at the number of trucks that are actually getting to Gaza and going in, it’s up significantly but distribution within Gaza is not working effectively. And part of the reason for that are the combat operations in the south. In addition, Rafah gate continues to be closed,” Blinken said.

However, he claimed that the US is exerting intensive efforts to make sure that the different access points are working and then aid distribution within Gaza is working more effectively.

Israel has continued its war on Gaza despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

It has killed more than 36,280 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October last year, according to local health authorities.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in its latest ruling has ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operation in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.