The US State Department said the newly appointed special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues, David Satterfield, met Israeli and Egyptian officials on Thursday to develop a means to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the Israeli government is concerned that aid coming through Egypt's border with Gaza could be diverted to Hamas. It is a concern the US shares.
"We want to see sustained humanitarian assistance going into Gaza for the benefit of innocent civilians," Mr Miller told reporters.
"The exact discussions about how we implement that is exactly what Ambassador Satterfield is engaged in right now."
Twenty lorries are expected to enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Friday, nearly two weeks into the Israel-Gaza war.
The conflict has led to thousands of deaths among Israelis and Palestinians, and the destruction of large parts of the Gaza Strip.
More than 100 lorries carrying critical aid for Palestinians are waiting by the border with Egypt for a diplomatic breakthrough.
On October 7, Hamas gunmen launched a surprise attack on parts of southern Israel, killing about 1,400 people and taking about 200 hostage.
Israel responded by bombarding the tiny enclave with air strikes, which have so far killed 3,875 Palestinians, and flattened entire neighbourhoods.
Israel has told residents of the northern Gaza Strip – about 1.1 million people – to flee to the south, before an anticipated ground invasion aimed at destroying Hamas.
Israel also cut off access to water, food, electricity and medicine, drawing concerns from the UN of a humanitarian disaster.
Before Israel tightened its siege, Gaza was already on the brink of disaster. Israel blockaded the territory by land, air and sea since 2007, when Hamas took over.
"The people with guns inside Gaza, Hamas, could try to divert this assistance and keep it from getting to the civilians who it is intended for," Mr Miller said.
"We think that's a legitimate concern.
"We're going to be watching very carefully how it's delivered, because we want to be sensitive to those concerns which we share.
"We are working on the mechanisms for the delivery of this aid."
US President Joe Biden made a last-minute trip to Israel on Wednesday, where he met Israeli leaders to negotiate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, which is home to 2.3 million Palestinians.
Mr Biden also reaffirmed the US's commitment to Israel's security, and Israel's right to defend itself.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis