Why is Netanyahu allowing aid into Gaza without the hostages?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the continuation of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip - throughout the Strip, not in a single location as originally planned, with the approval of the cabinet but over their objections.

Netanyahu's office released the following statement to explain the decision:

"On the recommendation of the IDF, and due to the operational need to enable the expansion of intensive fighting to defeat Hamas, Israel will allow a basic amount of food for the population to ensure that a hunger crisis does not develop in the Gaza Strip.

"Such a crisis would jeopardize the continuation of "Operation Gideon's Chariots" to defeat Hamas.

"Israel will act to prevent Hamas's ability to take control of humanitarian aid distribution to ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas terrorists."

While the Gaza Humanitarian Fund is working with the US and Israel to establish secure sites to feed the Gazan population, protected from Hamas, it is not yet operational, so Israel is seeking to tide the Gazan population over until the sites are ready.