USA expresses gratitude to Moroccan King for humanitarian aid to Gaza, stresses importance of Morocco’s support for President Biden’s initiative

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, expressed the “gratitude” of the United States to King Mohammed VI for Morocco’s humanitarian contributions to Gaza, and stressed the importance of Morocco’s support for President Biden’s proposal regarding an enduring ceasefire in Gaza.

“The Secretary conveyed his gratitude to King Mohammed VI for Morocco’s humanitarian contributions to Gaza,” said the Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Matthew Miller, in a statement issued in Washington on Monday, following a phone conversation between the Secretary of State and Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita.

The US secretary of State also stressed the importance of Morocco’s support for President Biden’s proposal as “a means of building a more integrated, peaceful and stable Middle East region”, the Spokesman noted.

“The Secretary underscored that the proposal would greatly benefit both Palestinians and Israelis, allow a surge in humanitarian assistance into Gaza, enable the return of displaced persons to areas throughout Gaza, and permit international reconstruction efforts to begin,” the statement added.

During this conversation, the two officials “agreed on the importance of continuing to coordinate closely to advance peace and security in the region,” the Spokesperson said.

King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al Quds Committee, had given his instructions last March to deploy a humanitarian food aid operation, by land, for the Palestinian population of Gaza and the Holy City of Al Quds.

Morocco was the first country to use this unprecedented overland route to deliver humanitarian aid directly to the beneficiaries since the outbreak of armed hostilities in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.

This large-scale humanitarian operation benefiting the Palestinian population confirmed the efficient commitment and ongoing concern of King Mohammed VI for the Palestinian cause.

On Monday, the Kingdom stressed the importance of the proposals put forward by President Biden, aimed at promoting a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, access for humanitarian aid, the protection of civilians, the return of displaced persons, and the reconstruction of destroyed areas.

Morocco “hopes that the various parties concerned will adhere to this initiative and commit to implementing its various phases”, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement.