Israel and US Discuss Minimal Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

With increasing discussion over providing humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza, a diplomatic source made it clear this evening (Wednesday) that Israel refuses to send any aid from its territory to the Gaza Strip before the Israeli captives are released. However, he did state that Israel and the US agreed to examine minimal aid “to sustain life.”

According to the source, “in light of the American demand, Israel has discussed alternatives with the US which will ensure only minimal supply of food, medicine, and water from Egypt to sustain life, on condition that this supply not reach Hamas.”

The Prime Minister’s Office later stated that “in light of the sweeping and vital American support for the war effort and the demand of American President Biden for basic humanitarian aid, the limited cabinet decided unanimously: Israel will not allow any humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip do long as our captives are not released, and it demands the visits of the Red Cross to our captives and is working to enlist broad international support for this demand.”

It also stated that “In light of the demand of President Biden, Israel will not stop humanitarian aid from Egypt so long as we are only talking about food, water, and medicines for the civilian population in the southern Gaza Strip or being evacuated there, and so long as this supply does not reach Hamas. Any supply reaching Hamas – will be stopped.”

This morning, the IDF informed the residents of Gaza to immediately evacuate to a humanitarian area located on the ruins of the Gush Katif settlement bloc. In a statement published by the IDF to the residents of the city of Gaza and the northern Gaza Strip, it called on them to immediately evacuate to the al-Mawasi area, where international humanitarian aid will be directed as needed.

The IDF Spokesperson’s statement read: “The IDF continues to call on residents of the north of the Strip and the city of Gaza to evacuate to the al-Mawasi area south of Gaza creek, announcing its recommendation to evacuate to the open areas in the west of Khan Younis, in the al-Mawasi area.”

Al-Mawasi is an Arab village on the shore. Until 18 years ago, it was settled by Israelis and called Gush Katif; most residents of the bloc lived here. After the Disengagement, the Israelis were expelled and a terror entity emerged in the Gaza Strip which committed a massacre in the Gaza Perimeter area last Simchat Torah.