Blinken urges Israel to ‘substantially increase’ aid to Gaza
The US Secretary of State spoke with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant by telephone and urged him to take action to improve the humanitarian situation in the besieged enclave ahead of a Washington-imposed deadline.
Antony Blinken “urged further actions to substantially increase and sustain humanitarian aid – including food, medicine, and other essential supplies – to civilians across all of Gaza,” the State Department said.
“The Secretary emphasised the importance of ending the war in Gaza and bringing all of the hostages home, as well as charting a path forward in the post-conflict period that allows the Palestinian population in Gaza to rebuild their lives and advances governance, security, and reconstruction,” it added.
The Biden administration told Israel in an October 13 letter that it had 30 days to take specific steps to address the dire humanitarian crisis in the Strip – which has been pummelled for more than a year by Israeli ground and air attacks – or risk facing restrictions on military aid.
The 'deadline' was just to stop reporters asking questions until after the elections. But we'll see next Tuesday when the 30 days are up.
Premature births, maternal deaths rising in Gaza, UNFPA says
The UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency says its partners in Gaza are reporting a rise in premature births and maternal deaths amid Israel’s war on the Palestinian enclave.
“Sexual and reproductive healthcare, including postnatal and family planning services, have become severely limited for 155,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, who face serious health risks due to a lack of prenatal and postnatal care,” the agency said.
“Complicated and high-risk pregnancies linked with negative outcomes have increased, while access to safe childbirth services has dramatically decreased, especially in the North.”
Many women are being forced to give birth without access to medical support, it said.
“Menstrual hygiene has also become nearly impossible to manage, as over 690,000 women lack access to basic sanitary supplies,” the agency said. “The cost of essential items like soap has skyrocketed by 1,100%, making it impossible to keep clean and increasing women’s vulnerability to violence and exploitation.”
Israel’s five-stage plan for Gaza, Lebanon
Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, Marwan Bishara, examines Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, outlining a five-stage plan: siege, assault, expulsion, destruction, and occupation.
He comments on the US presidential election, expressing doubt that either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump would back a regional war in the Middle East.
Bishara suggests Harris may take a more cautious stance towards Israeli war crimes, while Trump’s position remains uncertain. However, he does not expect either candidate to engage directly in a Middle Eastern conflict.
