Administrator Samantha Power visited Israel on July 11 to advance efforts to get urgently needed humanitarian assistance to people in need across Gaza, and to continue discussions on implementing measures to improve security for humanitarian groups operating in Gaza. Throughout her visit, the Administrator spoke with Israeli officials and humanitarian workers about the Israeli government's agreement to expand the maritime corridor's coordination mechanism to the rest of Gaza. They discussed the operational details that need to be implemented to help strengthen communication overall, including between the IDF and aid workers, to increase protections for humanitarian staff.
The Administrator began her trip with a meeting with the IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi. They discussed the expansion of the maritime corridor's coordination mechanism to the rest of Gaza, and next steps to help strengthen communication and increase protections for humanitarian staff. They also discussed urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, including shortages of sanitation, water and food amidst rising insecurity and lawlessness. The Administrator emphasized the essential role that the UN and numerous non-governmental organizations (NGO) have played to support the overall humanitarian response in Gaza, with aid workers risking their lives everyday in their efforts to deliver life-saving assistance to people in need. The Administrator expressed her ongoing concern over those still held hostage by Hamas, and reiterated the U.S. government's commitment to secure a ceasefire that brings the hostages home and enables a surge of assistance into Gaza.
The Administrator then visited the coordination cell that facilitates the movement of aid via the humanitarian maritime pier, composed of senior operational representatives from IDF, COGAT, CLA, UN, CENTCOM, and USAID. Administrator Power heard from participants about the real time collaboration between U.S., Israeli, and UN representatives on the Convoy Management Board, which has improved the protection of humanitarian workers and the facilitation of humanitarian operations in the context of the maritime corridor.
During her visit to the Port of Ashdod, the Administrator heard from the UN World Food Program about their efforts to bring aid into Gaza, including through Ashdod. She also met with Government of Israel customs and port authorities, and saw how Ashdod is a key conduit for humanitarian supplies that go on to reach Gaza via land crossings. Administrator Power underscored the importance of Ashdod for use by humanitarian partners, and that it should be used for both food and non-food commodities. She encouraged Israeli authorities to continue to increase inspection capacity and streamline customs processes so that Ashdod can process as much humanitarian aid as possible and serve as a critical node through which humanitarian assistance reaches Gaza.
During her visit, Administrator Power announced that the United States will provide an additional $100 million in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in dire need throughout Gaza and the West Bank. This funding will support USAID's partner the WFP to deliver urgently needed food to Gaza and the West Bank.
The Administrator concluded her visit with a meeting with UN and NGO partners to discuss challenges on the ground and possible solutions given the difficult operating environment and severe insecurity. They relayed the daily trauma people trapped in Gaza are experiencing, with the majority of the population lacking access to food, water, shelter, and basic goods, and civilian casualties continuing to increase daily. She thanked UN and NGO partners for their steadfast commitment to getting aid to people in need across Gaza.
