WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement:

“Last night the president announced additional action that the United States will be taking to support the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. These steps are critically needed, and I applaud the president for pushing them forward. Establishing port infrastructure to support the maritime delivery of food, water, shelter materials, and other assistance has the potential to provide dramatically increased levels of aid, and I urge the president to work with Israel and other partners to quickly implement and ramp this operation.

“Deliveries of aid by air and sea are notable steps that represent an ongoing effort by the U.S. to address the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. It must be noted, however, the extraordinary and catastrophic conditions that have led to the consideration of these options. The most direct and effective route for aid to reach Palestinians comes via cross-border transport. Despite Israeli commitments and indeed, obligation, humanitarian access remains dramatically below target levels, with critically needed supplies delayed and restricted at border crossings. It is vital that Israel take steps to allow for greater and more timely access into Gaza.

“The urgency of reaching a diplomatic outcome that puts in place a ceasefire agreement, secures the release of Israelis and Americans who are still held hostage by Hamas, and provides for dramatically increased humanitarian access, cannot be overstated.”

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