“The United States has been clear about [our] positions in private with our Israeli partners, just as we have articulated them publicly time and again,” said Robert Wood, United States Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs.
“The United States’ commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad. And I want to repeat: ironclad. We want to see Hamas defeated, Sinwar and other Hamas leaders brought to justice, and the hostages released. We have been very clear that we oppose Hamas’ control of Gaza,” he said. “At the same time, we also do not support, and will not support, an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza. And we have long maintained our objection to any large-scale military operation in Rafah that risks mass civilian harm.”
According to the United Nations, “the situation in Gaza has been described as a catastrophe, a nightmare and hell on earth.” In the past two weeks, more than 800,000 people have been displaced from Rafah into other areas of Gaza. Most of the displaced have sought refuge in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah, but the situation there is horrendous, with inadequate latrines, water points, drainage and shelter.
“It is, therefore, evident … that Israel’s preparations to meet the needs for those displaced people are insufficient,” said Ambassador Wood. “Israel should take immediate and decisive actions to remedy this situation and ensure protection of civilians. There must be no delay. Lives depend on it.”
If there is a bright spot in this disaster, it’s the opening of the maritime corridor. “The first shipments of humanitarian assistance [have] arrived on the shores of Gaza through the multinational humanitarian pier,” said Ambassador Wood. “When at full operating capacity, the humanitarian maritime corridor can provide assistance for up to 500,000 people in one month.”
“More aid from the United States and other countries continues to arrive in Cyprus, where it will be loaded onto ships for delivery to the pier. But in the effort to mitigate famine, aid by sea is not a substitute for aid provided by land,” he said. “And so, the United States continues to work to further increase the amount of aid getting into Gaza by land crossings.”
“As President Biden emphasized yesterday, we need an immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting and bring the hostages home,” said Ambassador Wood. “Hamas must comply with the Security Council’s resolutions and release the hostages. That is how to bring the fighting to an end.”
