Israel will allow the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza residents, the Prime Minister's Office announced Wednesday evening at the end of a small cabinet meeting. The transfer of aid, despite previous statements, is at the request of the United States and the Biden administration, to which the Israeli government agreed to respond positively in light of America's sweeping support for Israel.
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However, the transfer of the equipment will be conditional on it being transferred only through Egypt, not reaching Hamas terrorists. If such a thing happens, Israel will respond accordingly.
The statement said: "In light of the sweeping and vital American support for the war effort and in light of US President Biden's demand for basic humanitarian aid, the small cabinet has unanimously decided: Israel will not allow any humanitarian aid from its territory to the Gaza Strip as long as our abductees are not returned.
"Israel demands Red Cross visits to our abductees and is working to enlist broad international support for this demand.
"In light of President Biden's demand, Israel will not thwart humanitarian supplies from Egypt as long as it is only food, water and medicine for the civilian population in the southern Gaza Strip or evacuating there, and as long as this supply does not reach Hamas. Any supplies that reach Hamas will be thwarted.
"Sticking a finger in the eye of the families of the abductees"
The government's decision sparked great anger among the families of the abductees and missing persons. In a statement, they said: "Children, babies, women, soldiers, men and the elderly, some of whom are seriously ill, wounded and shot, are kept underground like animals and without human conditions, and the Israeli government spoils the murderers and kidnappers with baklavas and medicine.
If the terrible decision to help Gaza's murderers is not rescinded, the families' struggle will intensify in the near future. Instead of working to strengthen the trust that was broken and shattered on the bloody Saturday, government officials decided to provoke the families of abductees and missing persons and stick a finger in the eye of those who have not slept or breathed for ten days."
Among the critics of the decision was National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who tweeted on X: "Want "humanitarian"? Release the hostages."
As long as hundreds of women, children, the elderly and other abductees are held by the Nazi entity, no humanitarian aid can be allowed. Want "humanitarian"? Release the hostages.
— Itamar Ben-Gvir (@itamarbengvir) October 18, 2023Did we get it wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us