Israel must do more to “protect innocent civilians” in Gaza and get aid, and must conduct a “swift” investigation into the deaths of seven aid workers, US State Department head Anthony Anthony said in Paris on Tuesday. Blinken after a meeting with his French colleague Stéphane Sejournet, reports AFP.

The two leaders held a press conference at the end of the meeting to discuss major international crises, including the war in Gaza and Ukraine.

They discussed, in particular, the deaths on Monday of seven workers of the American non-governmental organization World Central Kitchen, who were killed in an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip, which the Israeli government called on Tuesday an “unintended” and “tragic incident”.

Stephane Sejournay expressed “strong condemnation” of France, while Anthony Blinken called for a “swift and impartial” investigation to shed light on the tragedy.

The US secretary of state also called on Israel to do “more to protect the lives of innocent civilians, from innocent Palestinian children to humanitarian workers” and reiterated “the need for a significant increase in aid” to the devastated Palestinian territory, which has lasted nearly six months of war. in the conditions of a major humanitarian crisis.

Call for Ukraine

As for Ukraine, they reiterated that both the US and France intend to continue providing uninterrupted assistance.

“France has been a strong leader in this effort,” praised Anthony Blinken.

Addressing the American public, he insisted that Congress vote for an important aid program for Ukraine.

The United States was Kyiv’s main sponsor after the Russian invasion in February 2022. But in Washington, a $60 billion military aid program for Ukraine has been blocked for months by Republican opposition in Congress.

Blinken also noted that Washington is working tirelessly to prevent the transfer of weapons and equipment to Russia, especially from Iran or North Korea or even China, which are then used against Ukraine.

Anthony Blinken has not visited France for almost two years. His visit precedes that of US President Joe Biden, who is due to attend the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944.