EUVEN, Belgium (Reuters) - Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed appreciation for Israel's recent efforts to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasizing that the true measure of success lies in tangible improvements on the ground.
"The proof is in the results, and we will witness these unfold in the coming days and weeks," Blinken stated, speaking alongside EU leaders in Belgium.
President Joe Biden recently suggested that U.S. support for Israel's actions in Gaza could depend on concrete actions to protect aid workers and civilians, marking the first attempt to use U.S. aid as a lever to influence Israeli military conduct.
Responding to queries about Israel's actions following Biden's change in stance, Blinken informed reporters that Washington would be closely monitoring specific indicators, such as the number of trucks entering Gaza and the progression of famine risks.
He stressed that Israel must ensure the protection of civilians from its airstrikes by "maximizing every effort to protect civilians," adding, "We cannot afford to have numerous individuals caught in the crossfire killed or injured going forward."