US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday an additional USD 404 million in US assistance has been allocated to Palestinians in Gaza, calling on other nations to contribute to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Speaking at the “Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza” conference in the Dead Sea, Blinken stated, "Some have expressed great concern over the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, including countries with the capacity to give a lot, have provided very little or nothing at all."

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Highlighting the dire situation on the ground, Blinken pointed out the urgent need for aid. "We need to ensure more aid is delivered to Gaza," he said, noting that hospitals in the region are struggling to function. "Hospitals in Gaza are unable to operate and provide assistance," he added.

Moreover, in a series of urgent statements, Blinken underscored the broad international support for a ceasefire in Gaza and emphasized the necessity of further humanitarian efforts.

"All countries in the world have supported the ceasefire proposal in Gaza, and we are awaiting Hamas's response," he said. "Hamas must accept the US proposal for a ceasefire.”

Additionally, Blinken called on the Israeli Occupation to take more significant steps to protect civilians and reduce casualties.

The “Call for Action: Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza” conference aims to enhance the international community's response to the humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip. It seeks to identify effective mechanisms and steps for response, operational and logistical needs, and a commitment to a coordinated approach to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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The ongoing war in Gaza has caused a humanitarian catastrophe for more than 2.3 million Palestinians, leading to widespread famine, psychological suffering, and massive destruction. Access to food, water, shelter, and medicine has become almost nonexistent.