Administrator Samantha Power Speaks with Humanitarian NGOs Working in Gaza

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:

Today, Administrator Samantha Power spoke with the leadership of non-governmental organization partners working in Gaza to respond to the humanitarian crisis and provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians. The NGO leaders provided updates on how their teams are working to address the dire humanitarian conditions, and described current concerns and priorities related to the humanitarian response.

Administrator Power underscored the position of the United States that Israel must uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of life-saving assistance and ensure the safety of aid workers, civilians, and assets across Gaza. The deterioration of humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where the death toll since October 7 has surpassed 33,000 people and where the emergence of Famine is projected in northern Gaza, has occurred at an unprecedented speed and scale.

Administrator Power and the humanitarian leaders discussed commitments made by the Government of Israel to improve humanitarian assistance, including through changes to the deconfliction system, opening additional border crossings, and reducing administrative processes. All participants emphasized the need to significantly increase the amount of assistance entering Gaza. The group also discussed ongoing efforts to enable the provision of additional humanitarian assistance via maritime delivery. They emphasized the need for safe and sustained access throughout Gaza so that humanitarian assistance can reach civilians with the greatest needs.

Administrator Power thanked the humanitarian leaders for the work of their staff to provide life-saving aid under the most challenging circumstances, underscoring that the United States has communicated to the Government of Israel that it is unacceptable that more than 200 humanitarian aid workers in Gaza and the West Bank have been killed since October 7. Today's meeting follows on from previous discussions between Administrator Power and leaders of humanitarian organizations working in Gaza, as well as engagements in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel with partner staff responding to the crisis in Gaza.