White House: Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Has Seen a 'Significant Increase'

The White House states that humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip has significantly increased in recent days, and the United States is calling for the continuation of this aid. John Kirby, the National Security Council's Coordinator for Strategic Communications, said in an interview with American news network MSNBC on Monday, April 15, that 'this aid has seen a completely significant increase in recent days. This is important. But aid must continue.' Kirby noted that over 2,000 trucks have been able to enter so far, emphasizing that approximately 100 trucks carrying humanitarian aid reached the Gaza Strip in just the past 24 hours. President Joe Biden recently stated that U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza is conditional on specific steps taken by that country to protect aid workers and civilians. The President made these remarks following the killing of seven aid workers from the charity 'World Central Kitchen' in an Israeli attack. This was the first time in the seven-month war between Israel and Hamas that the Biden administration used U.S. aid to Israel to influence its military behavior. In another interview with CNBC, Kirby reiterated Biden's comments, stating, 'If we do not see significant changes over time, our policy towards Gaza will change.' Hamas militants carried out a terrorist attack on October 6, 2023, killing at least 1,200 people in southern Israel and taking about 250 hostage, with the fate of around 130 of them still unknown. According to some reports, Hamas has stated that it has no information on the fate of 40 of them. In response to the October 6 attack, Israel has besieged the Gaza Strip and launched operations aimed at destroying Hamas. Several countries, including Israel, the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Japan, have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The unprecedented increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza; over 400 trucks of essential supplies arrived on Monday. Continued U.S. airlifting of aid to Gaza; CENTCOM reports: 739 tons of aid delivered to Gaza residents. Gallant: While striving to destroy Hamas, we facilitate the increase of aid to Gaza. Possible negotiations for the release of hostages and establishing a ceasefire on Sunday; a Hamas representative is going to Cairo. The UN Human Rights Council has called for a halt to the sale or shipment of weapons to Israel. Blinken in Paris: We will make any shipment of weapons to Russia impossible in cooperation with Europe. Netanyahu before heading to the hospital: Israel is ready for operations in Rafah and the evacuation of civilians. The second ship carrying 400 tons of food aid from Cyprus has departed for Gaza. Continued U.S. airlifting of aid to Gaza; tens of thousands of meals have been delivered.