Liz Grande Introduced as New U.S. Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East

President Joe Biden has appointed Liz Grande as the "Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken referenced Grande's work in UN humanitarian operations and development in Yemen, as well as her role in stabilizing over twenty cities liberated from ISIS in Iraq, in a press statement on Thursday, April 25. Blinken noted that the position of "Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East" was created immediately after the horrific terrorist attacks on October 7 to lead U.S. regional diplomacy aimed at increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to the statement, David Satterfield, who has led efforts to expand humanitarian aid in Gaza over the past seven months, has been appointed as a senior advisor at the State Department. The U.S. Secretary of State stated, "Providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to Gaza requires escalation and continuity. Liz's unique experience in overseeing similar efforts in complex and dangerous conditions allows her to continue this around-the-clock effort." He concluded by mentioning Grande's close collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development, other government partners, regional partners, and the Israeli government as the special envoy. Liz Grande, currently the president of the U.S. Institute of Peace, has previously worked for over 25 years with the United Nations, leading, managing, and coordinating complex humanitarian operations in countries such as Yemen, Iraq, and South Sudan. Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of over 250 others, Israel launched an offensive against Gaza aimed at destroying this Iran-backed Islamist group and recovering the hostages. Since the onset of the war in Gaza, the United States has repeatedly affirmed Israel's right to defend itself while emphasizing the need to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian aid reaches the people in Gaza. In the latest instance, the National Security Supplemental Budget, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by the U.S. President on April 25, allocates "one billion dollars" in humanitarian and life-saving aid for the innocent people of Gaza suffering as a result of Hamas's actions, including "food aid, medical supplies, and drinking water." Hamas officials have repeatedly stated that they would carry out similar attacks if capable since the October 7 terrorist attack. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The construction of a humanitarian aid port to Gaza has begun; the U.S. states that Israel has taken significant steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The White House has noted a "significant increase" in aid to Gaza. The U.S. is making efforts to prevent escalating tensions; Blinken's discussions with Middle Eastern officials continue. On the 200th day of the Gaza war, the UK and Germany called on Hamas to release all hostages. There has been an unprecedented increase in the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza; over 400 trucks of essential supplies arrived on Monday.