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Israel and the USA are negotiating aid deliveries to Gaza
US and Israeli officials are talking about resuming aid deliveries to Gaza as a looming famine approaches. The humanitarian crisis in the region continues to worsen.
Israel and the USA are negotiating aid deliveries to Gaza
The US and Israel are negotiating a mechanism to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip that would bypass Hamas, an Israeli source confirmed to CNN. This aid delivery initiative comes as the total blockade of aid deliveries to the Palestinian enclave is approaching its third month. This came after US President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be “good to Gaza”.
Progress in negotiations
On Saturday, Axios reported that the United States, Israel and representatives of a new international foundation are nearing an agreement to restart aid deliveries. CNN has reached out to the US State Department for further comment.
Total blockage for two months
For two months, Israel has been imposing a complete siege on the Gaza Strip, not allowing access for even a single truck carrying humanitarian aid or commercial goods - one of the longest blockades to date. Israel says it has stopped importing aid to put pressure on Hamas to release hostages. However, international organizations point out that these measures violate international law. Some accuse Israel of using famine as a weapon of war, which would constitute a war crime.
Statements by Donald Trump
At a press conference late last month, Trump was asked whether the issue of aid to Gaza came up during his conversation with Netanyahu. He replied: “Gaza came up and I said, ‘We have to be good to Gaza,’ because the people are suffering.” He added: "There is a very great need for food and medicine. We are taking care of it."
Health crisis in Gaza
Dr. Ahmad Al-Farra, the head of the children's department at the Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza, warned that "an impending health catastrophe threatens the lives of hundreds of thousands in the Gaza Strip." He said there is a risk of a massive wave of malnutrition deaths if the humanitarian crisis is not addressed.
Aid organizations are ready
The World Food Program says it is ready to bring enough aid to Gaza to feed the entire population of about two million people for up to two months. UNRWA, the main UN agency supporting the Palestinians, also reported nearly 3,000 trucks carrying aid waiting to enter the Gaza Strip. However, both organizations need the Israeli blockade to be lifted in order to receive this aid.
Political pressure on Netanyahu
Netanyahu faces enormous pressure from far-right members of his fragile ruling coalition to continue the fight in Gaza and withhold aid as a means of pressure against Hamas. Defense Minister Israel Katz said his ministry was working on a mechanism “through civilian companies” to distribute humanitarian aid in Gaza, drawing sharp criticism from extremist politicians.
Protection from Hamas
CogAT, the Israeli authority that manages policy for the Palestinian territories and the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip, announced it would introduce a "new authorization mechanism" aimed at preventing Hamas' infiltration into humanitarian organizations. This system is intended to support aid organizations and ensure that aid reaches civilians without being diverted or stolen by Hamas.