The United States said on Thursday on Thursday it is giving $15m to vulnerable Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Signaling the change in attitude than that of the Trump Administration, Biden Administration said the United States would soon re-establish diplomatic relations with Palestine.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said addressing the UN Security Council, “This urgent, necessary aid is one piece of our renewed commitment to the Palestinian people. The aid will help Palestinians in dire need, which will bring more stability and security to both Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Ambassador Greenfield said the United States would continue to support Israel and expressed confidence that both Israel and Palestine would take the initiative for a two-state solution.

Thomas-Greenfield said the $15m in aid is “consistent with our interests and our values, and it aligns with our efforts to stamp our the pandemic and food insecurity worldwide”.