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Secretary Antony J. Blinken At the “Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza” Conference [ https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-the-call-for-action-urgent-humanitarian-response-for-gaza-conference/ ] 06/11/2024 11:33 AM EDT
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Sweimeh, Jordan
King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center
*SECRETARY BLINKEN:*  Well, thank you.  And good afternoon, colleagues.
We are grateful to King Abdullah, to President El-Sisi, Secretary-General Guterres, for convening this conference and their tireless efforts to help end this conflict, and to help the many children, women, and men who are so desperately in need.
As we all know, as we’ve all been discussing throughout the day, the crisis in Gaza is immense.  More than a million people have been displaced from Rafah alone, in the last month alone – many of whom had already been uprooted multiple times.
Ninety-five percent of people there cannot access clean drinking water.  Hunger is everywhere.  Virtually everyone in Gaza depends on aid to survive.
Most of Gaza’s sanitation system has been destroyed.  Fewer than a dozen of Gaza’s 40 hospitals are open.
And – as we know and have heard – more than 270 humanitarian workers have been killed.
One of those humanitarians was Jamal abu Kwaik, a longtime UNRWA staffer in Gaza who for years was the United States’ main local contact – and for many, a friend.  He was killed last month after evacuating Rafah.  He was looking for shelter for his family.  He’s survived by his wife and his four children.
The single most effective step we can take to address the urgent humanitarian challenges in Gaza is to reach an immediate – and ultimately, enduring – ceasefire.
Eleven days ago, President Biden set out a comprehensive proposal to do precisely that.
In its first six weeks, the proposal would provide for a full ceasefire; the pull-back the Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza; the release of a number of hostages – including women, the elderly, and wounded; a dramatic surge in aid deliveries; the return of civilians to their homes or neighborhoods in all parts of Gaza.  And it would also initiate negotiations toward a permanent ceasefire.
The second phase would see the release of all remaining living hostages; the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza; the implementation of a permanent cessation of hostilities.  And the final phase would launch a massive reconstruction effort in Gaza.
When I met Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday in Israel, he reaffirmed his support and his commitment to bringing this proposal across the finish line.
The same day, yesterday, the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution sponsored by the United States in support of the proposal.  Fourteen members voted for it.  Not one country opposed it.  It’s just the latest vote of support the proposal has received from around the world, from virtually everyone around this table, the Arab League, countries throughout the region.
Today, as we gather, one – and only one – thing stands in the way of this deal happening, and that’s Hamas.
So my primary and first message today to every government, to every multilateral institution, to every humanitarian organization that wants to relieve the massive suffering in Gaza:  Get Hamas to take the deal.  Press them publicly.  Press them privately.
And Hamas should not require much convincing.  After all, the proposal is nearly identical to the one Hamas itself proposed on May the 6th.
Having said that, we’re gathered today because all of us, I believe, recognize the imperative of taking bold, immediate actions to help civilians in Gaza and to do it now.  And here are a few thoughts on how we can do that going forward.
First, give more aid.  You’ve heard this already from our colleagues at the UN.  Only one-third of the current United Nations appeal is funded.  That leaves a shortfall of approximately $2.3 billion.  Every country can help fill this gap.
Yet some who’ve expressed great concern over the suffering of Palestinian people in Gaza – including countries with the capacity to give a lot – have provided very little or nothing at all.  It is time for everyone – everyone – to step up.
And for those who have already given and given generously, give more.
The United States has for decades been the largest single country provider of assistance for Palestinians.  Today, I’m announcing an additional $404 million in new aid to Palestinians in addition to the more than $1.8 billion in development, economic, and humanitarian aid that the United States has provided since 2021.
Second, let’s work together to ensure that more aid gets into Gaza, and once it’s in Gaza, reaches the people who need it the most – by land, by air, by sea.
This has been our intense focus since the conflict started.
Particularly in recent months, Israel has taken some important steps to open more crossings, to address obstacles to the delivery of assistance.  But it can and must do more.