The White House has emphasized the importance of increasing and sustaining aid deliveries to Gaza to address the humanitarian crisis in the region. The recent uptick in aid trucks entering Gaza is seen as progress, but more needs to be done to meet the needs of the besieged enclave.
According to White House national security spokesperson, efforts are being made to push Israel to expand truck crossings into Gaza to between 300 and 350 per day. Israel recently allowed over 300 trucks to enter Gaza in a single day, marking the highest volume since the current conflict began.
While acknowledging this as a positive step, the US is advocating for further increases in aid deliveries and ensuring their continuity over time. The focus is on sustaining the flow of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
The Biden administration is also urging Israel to make changes to its deconfliction mechanism to facilitate access for aid workers in Gaza. This comes in the wake of a tragic incident where aid workers from the World Central Kitchen were killed in a strike.
Discussions regarding a potential ground invasion of Rafah are ongoing, with no set date for an in-person meeting between US and Israeli officials. However, there are no immediate signs of a major ground invasion of the southern Gaza city.
On the hostage front, there is growing optimism for a deal that could secure the release of hostages in exchange for a ceasefire. CIA Director Bill Burns engaged in talks in Cairo over the weekend, presenting a proposal to Hamas. The US is awaiting a response from the group, with past experiences indicating that it may take several days for a reply.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is scheduled to meet with families of American hostages to discuss the ongoing efforts to secure their release.
