US to give $404 mn in new aid for Palestinians: Blinken

Sweimeh, Jordan – AFP

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday announced $404 million in new US assistance for the Palestinians, as he urged other countries including US critics also to give money to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

The aid, announced at an emergency aid conference in Jordan, brings the total US contribution to Palestinians — in Gaza, the West Bank and the region — to $674 million since Israel launched its current war on Gaza, according to the State Department.

But Blinken noted that a UN appeal for the Palestinians was only one-third funded, with a shortfall of some $2.3 billion.

“Some have expressed great concern over the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, including countries with the capacity to give a lot, have provided very little or nothing at all,” Blinken told an emergency aid conference in Jordan, in a likely reference to US adversaries China and Russia.

“It is time for everyone — everyone — to step up. And for those who have already given and given generously, give more,” he said.

Blinken did not specify how the United States would deliver the assistance but Washington — the largest donor to the Palestinians — has focused on the World Food Programme and private aid groups.

The US Congress has banned further contributions to the main provider of assistance on the ground — UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Israel, long critical of UNRWA, alleged in January that a number of the agency’s employees may have participated in the October 7 attack. The agency fired the employees and promised to investigate. Israel has not yet provided evidence against UNRWA.