Israel approves resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza amid US pressure

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, following a security cabinet meeting held on Mya 18.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the decision was made “at the recommendation of the IDF and due to the operational need to enable the expansion of intense fighting to defeat Hamas,” Caliber.Az reports per Israeli media. 

He says Israel “will allow the entry of a basic quantity of food for the population in order to prevent the development of a hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip,” as such a crisis “would endanger the continued operation to defeat Hamas.”

Netanyahu emphasised that Israel would take steps to ensure the aid does not fall into the hands of Hamas militants. 

“Israel will act to deny Hamas the ability to seize control of the distribution of humanitarian aid in order to ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas terrorists,” he concludes.

The move comes amid mounting international criticism over Israel’s months-long blockade of aid deliveries into Gaza, which humanitarian groups say has brought the territory to the brink of famine. Until now, Israeli authorities had resisted calls to resume deliveries, accusing Hamas of diverting aid for its own benefit.

However, according to the Walla news site, the renewed aid transfer will be conducted through international organisations, including the UN World Food Programme and the World Central Kitchen, until a new delivery mechanism—developed jointly by the US and Israel—is operational later this month.

Ynet further reports that Netanyahu informed the security cabinet of the decision without holding a formal vote, citing increasing pressure from Washington as a key factor behind the move.

By Sabina Mammadli