Blinken noted that "we also discussed the imperative to maximize civilian protection and humanitarian aid. To address the ongoing suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Nearly 2 million people have been displaced from their homes. hundreds of thousands are experiencing acute hunger. Most have lost someone that they love, and day after day, more people are killed.
"On all of my previous visits, and pretty much every day in between, we have pressed Israel in concrete ways to strengthen civilian protection, to get more assistance to those who need it. And over the past four months, Israel has taken important steps to do just that: starting the flow of aid, doubling it during the first pause for hostage releases, opening the north and south corridors in Gaza so people can move out of harm's way. Through these corridors, a four-hour pause every day, with three hours' notice. Opening Kerem Shalom, starting the flow of assistance from Jordan, and establishing de-confliction methods for humanitarian sites. As a result, today, more assistance than ever is moving into Gaza to more places than at any time since October 7th."