Evading Hamas: Israel's Foreign Minister Supportive of US Plan to Overhaul Aid Distribution in Gaza Strip
Israeli Foreign Minister Endorses U.S. Proposal for Aid to Gaza Reconstruction
In an informal, off-the-cuff tone, let's dive into the buzz. Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has voiced his approval for a U.S. government proposal to reform humanitarian aid distribution in the tumultuous Gaza Strip. On Friday, during a press conference with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU), Saar lauded the newly-unveiled plan put forth by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee.
Saar, in typical no-nonsense fashion, accused the radical Palestinian Islamic organization, Hamas, of pilfering aid and utilizing it for their war machine. He asserted that humanitarian aid was allowed during the Gaza conflict, but Hamas "blatantly stole" it from the locals. Saar further commentated, "If the aid continues to bolster Hamas instead of the Gaza Strip's population, the conflict will drag on interminably."
Enter the stage, U.S. State Department's recent announcement—the establishment of a private foundation that will now oversee aid distribution in Gaza. On Friday, Huckabee explained that the plan doesn't necessitate direct participation from the Israeli military in the aid distribution. Instead, Israel will provide military security for the delivery of food supplies.
Yet, the plan has faced international scrutiny, as it seems to bypass the UN and aid organizations active in Gaza.
Wadephul commended Israel's administration for supporting the new aid scheme during his meeting with Saar. "If this method is an effective way to guarantee humanitarian assistance, Germany's federal government will back it," Wadephul stated. He also disclosed plans to discuss the proposition with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in Berlin on Tuesday.
Wadephul further called for renewed negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. A ceasefire could pave the way for a "sustainable supply of people in the Gaza Strip."
Ever since early March, Israel has blocked humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip. By the end of April, the World Food Programme had depleted its food supplies in the Palestinian territory. Aid organizations predict a humanitarian disaster.
The US plan targets a direct supply bypassing Hamas through Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which aims to provide food, water, and hygiene kits to up to 1.2 million Palestinians. The foundation plans to deliver food packages to families containing 50 meals and operate independently with a robust, audited system. However, the efficacy and feasibility of this approach remain questionable in the complex political landscape of Gaza.
[3] Reuters: Israel accused of IHL violations in Gaza[4] Middle East Monitor: Palestinians denounce U.S. proposal to bypass UN and distribute aid directly to Gazans
- Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, supports the U.S. proposal to overhaul employment policies within the Gaza Strip, involving the establishment of a private foundation to distribute aid.
- Saar's concerns include the misuse of aid by radical organizations, such as Hamas, which he accuses of diverting resources intended for the local community towards their war efforts.
- The new employment policy, as proposed, would ensure the military security of aid delivery, with Israel providing this security for food supplies.
- The international community, including Germany and the UN, are monitoring this policy change closely, particularly regarding its potential impact on general news, politics, and war-and-conflicts surrounding the Gaza Strip.
