DayofPal– Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday firmly rejected any resumption of aid to Gaza, declaring that “not a single grain of food should enter Gaza” until all captives held by Hamas are released.
The statement came in response to a proposal by Defense Minister Israel Katz, who presented a possible future framework for aid delivery through civilian companies. Katz emphasized that the proposal was only conceptual and that “immediate aid delivery is not under consideration.”
Ben-Gvir criticized Katz’s proposal, calling it a “historic mistake” that would “relieve pressure on Hamas.”
“Resuming aid before Hamas surrenders is wrong. I will do everything to prevent this step and urge the prime minister and defense minister to stop it,” Ben-Gvir said.
Culture Minister Miki Zohar echoed Ben-Gvir’s position, advocating for continued military pressure. “The despicable murderers in Gaza deserve no humanitarian assistance from any civilian or military mechanism,” Zohar wrote on X.
“Only hellfire should be poured on the makers of terrorism until the last hostage returns from Gaza.”
Yisrael Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman also lashed out at Katz, labeling the aid proposal a “surrender.”
“At a time when our hostages are starved in tunnels, residents of the south are running to bomb shelters during a holiday, the government of Israel surrenders again and intends to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. This cannot be allowed to happen,” Liberman said on X.
Following the backlash, Katz reiterated Israel’s official stance: “Israel’s policy is clear and no humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza,” he stated. “Preventing humanitarian aid from entering the Strip is one of the main pressure tools that stops Hamas from using this means against the population.”
“In the current reality, no one is going to allow any humanitarian aid into Gaza, and no preparations are being made to allow any aid of this kind,” he added.
Earlier Wednesday, international medical charity Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF) condemned the complete blockade of Gaza, warning that the health system is collapsing under the weight of Israeli bombardment, lack of resources, and inability to access critical supplies.
“Gaza has been turned into a mass grave of Palestinians and those coming to their assistance. We are witnessing in real time the destruction and forced displacement of the entire population in Gaza,” said Amande Bazerolle, MSF’s emergency coordinator in the enclave.
MSF warned that food, fuel, and medical supplies are nearly depleted, with medical staff and patients trapped in hospitals under siege.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as the worst since the war began.
According to OCHA, it has been more than a month since Israeli authorities allowed any aid to enter Gaza — the longest blockade since the outbreak of hostilities.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is now likely the worst it has been in the 18 months since the outbreak of hostilities,” the UN agency said.
According to the IPC Acute Food Insecurity classification, over 90 percent of Gaza’s population is currently classified as being in Phase 3 (Crisis) or above. Nearly half face emergency-level food insecurity (Phase 4), and 16 percent are experiencing catastrophic conditions (Phase 5), the most severe level.
Since Israel resumed its assault on Gaza nearly a month ago, 1,630 Palestinians, the majority women and children, have been killed. The total death toll since October 7, 2023, has surpassed 51,000, with more than 116,343 people wounded.
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