UPDATE - US says situation in Gaza 'intolerable' as it presses Israel to increase deliveries to north

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By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US said Monday that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is "intolerable" and it will press Israel for increased deliveries to the northern part of the enclave.

"We remain extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

Recalling an attack last week on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid, Miller said the incident made "painfully clear" that people are desperate for food, water and medicine.

"Parents are facing impossible choices about how to feed their children. Many don't know where the next meal will come from, or if it will come at all," he said.

"The situation is simply intolerable. And that's why the United States is focused on increasing and sustaining aid in Gaza through as many channels as possible," he added.

The US Department of Defense and the Royal Jordanian Air Force collaborated over the weekend to airdrop 38,000 ready-to-eat meals in Gaza. Yet some criticized the US for its inability to convince Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave.

Former US ambassador Robert Ford called it as Israel's "worst humiliation” of the US he has ever seen.

Asked about the criticisms, Miller said the US wants to see aid come in through additional crossings.

"But it's a good thing, not a bad thing to see thousands of meals distributed by air, and so we will continue to deliver aid through that mechanism. But it is very much not a replacement for every other mechanism to get aid into Gaza," he said.

"We want to see aid come in through a maritime delivery route, and we’re exploring one. We want to see aid come in through the crossings that are already open but need to be increased. And we want to see aid come in through additional crossings that are open," Miller said.

On the maritime option, Miller said the US is exploring it with commercial partners as well as other partners in the region.

"There are a number of different ways to do it. We’re trying to find the most efficient way to get as much aid in as possible,"

He added that the US will continue to press Israel to facilitate "increased deliveries to the north.”

“We continue to push for a temporary cease-fire through a hostage agreement that would allow a massive surge of aid into Gaza and ease the distribution problems that are currently hindering humanitarian efforts," he added.