Gaza hunger crisis is unacceptable, US officials tell Gantz in DC

The hunger crisis facing the Palestinians in Gaza is unacceptable, and a plan to better distribute humanitarian assistance in the enclave will be “top on the agenda” of United States officials in their meetings with Minister Benny Gantz in Washington on Monday, officials from the Biden administration told reporters.

“I can assure you that the issue of humanitarian assistance will be top of that agenda,” US National Security Spokesman John Kirby and US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

“What we have made clear is that... it is not an acceptable alternative for people to starve,” Miller said.“The situation now is unacceptable, and everyone needs to do more,” he said.

Kirby stressed that the fastest way to improve the humanitarian assistance was a hostage deal as he indicated that actions were needed from Hamas to make that happen.

“It’s all part of a package deal,” he said.

But he and Miller also pointed fingers at Israel when it came to the humanitarian crisis on the ground in Gaza, which they said has led to an inadequate amount of food for the 2.3 million Palestinians that live in the enclave.

Miller noted that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would speak with Gantz about the humanitarian crisis on Tuesday when they meet. Blinken raised the issue with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer when the two spoke on Monday.

On Monday, Gantz met with US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Kirby: 'Most efficient way to aid Gaza is through land'

Kirby stressed that “we believe that Israel can and should do more,” adding that there were “incidents where they [Israelis] have not been willing and able to keep the [aid] trucks going at an increased level.

“Clearly, there is a desperate need for this stuff [humanitarian assistance],” he said. Kirby pointed to the airdrops of food that the US began on Saturday, adding that more such flights were planned as well as a maritime route.The most efficient and quickest way to get aid into Gaza, Kirby said, is through land convoys.

Kirby addressed questions as to why the Biden administration would speak to Gantz, given that it was understood that the trip he initiated was done in opposition to that of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In a show of opposition to the trip, Netanyahu’s office asked the Israeli embassy in Washington not to facilitate Gantz’s visit.

Gantz is considered Netanyahu’s chief political rival, and polls show that he would easily win if elections were held now. The trip comes as Israeli politicians in the opposition have increasingly talked about the need to go to elections despite the danger of political disunity in a time of war.

Gantz, who heads the National Unity party, is a member of the small war cabinet and a former Defense Minister and IDF chief of staff, is no stranger to Washington and has already engaged with all the top Biden administration officials since the start of Israel’s military campaign to destroy Hamas in Gaza.

“We see this a natural outgrowth of these discussions,” said Kirby, adding that if “a member of the war cabinet wants to come to the US and talk to us about the progress of that war, giving us an opportunity to talk about the importance of getting humanitarian assistance.. we’re not going to turn away that sort of opportunity.”

Miller said that the Biden administration found Gantz “an important figure” to engage with.

During her meeting with Gantz, Harris “expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza” last week, according to the White House.

I met with Benny Gantz of Israel today and reiterated our support for Israel’s right to defend itself. We discussed the need to get a hostage deal, increase the flow of aid into Gaza, and protect civilians. pic.twitter.com/IB6C6qZRFo

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 4, 2024

She spoke about the urgency of a hostage deal that would lead to a six-week pause and said it was important for the terror group to accept the terms that were on the table.

Harris condemned “the brutal October 7th terrorist attack by Hamas” against Israel “and the taking of hostages, including American citizens,” the White House said. 

“She reiterated U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself in the face of ongoing Hamas terrorist threats and underscored our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.”

The two also discussed the situation in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, where many Palestinians have sought shelter from Israeli bombing campaigns in the north. Israel now wants to conduct a military operation there to destroy the remaining Hamas battalions.

The White House said there was a need for a “credible and implementable humanitarian plan prior to contemplating any major military operation there, given the risks to civilians. “

Harris “urged Israel to take additional measures in cooperation with the United States and international partners to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza and ensure its safe distribution to those in need.”