The White House expressed satisfaction with the recent arrival of more than 300 aid trucks in Gaza but urged Israel to further increase the daily aid delivery to around 350 trucks.
John Kirby, a White House spokesperson, disclosed that CIA Director William Burns participated in negotiations in Cairo over the weekend, focusing on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Kirby emphasized the seriousness with which the United States is approaching the negotiations, aiming for a prompt resolution to the hostage situation.
Efforts are underway to broker a comprehensive deal that encompasses a ceasefire, particularly as Israel continues its six-month-long assault on Hamas in the Palestinian enclave.
The United States is actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy to facilitate discussions and is committed to addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Hamas’s incursion into southern Israel on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, as per Israeli counts, while over 33,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel’s retaliatory actions, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel has reported the deaths of more than 600 soldiers in the conflict.
Kirby stressed the importance of maintaining a sustained pace of aid delivery, particularly in light of recent Israeli airstrikes that claimed the lives of seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen. The safety of aid workers remains a priority for the United States.
Regarding the deaths of aid workers, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has demanded a satisfactory explanation from Israel. Two Israeli officers have been dismissed, and further actions have been taken in response to the incident.
Looking ahead, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan is set to meet with Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid during Lapid’s visit to Washington.
These discussions underscore the continued efforts to address the complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict and seek avenues for resolution.
